case in point

Meaning

A 'case in point' is a specific instance or example that perfectly illustrates or supports a point that has just been made. It is used to transition from a general statement to a concrete, real-world example.

Examples

• Many tech startups fail in their first year; the company next door is a case in point.

  Many tech startups fail in their first year; the company next door is a case in point.

• Global temperatures are rising rapidly, and this summer's heatwave is a case in point.

  Global temperatures are rising rapidly, and this summer's heatwave is a case in point.

• To understand how inflation affects everyday items, let's look at the price of bread as a case in point.

  To understand how inflation affects everyday items, let's look at the price of bread as a case in point.

• We need to improve our customer service; yesterday's three-hour delay is a case in point.

  We need to improve our customer service; yesterday's three-hour delay is a case in point.

• Some species adapt remarkably well to urban environments, with raccoons being a case in point.

  Some species adapt remarkably well to urban environments, with raccoons being a case in point.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The case in the point is that we need more funding.

  ✓ A case in point is that we need more funding.

  The idiom is 'case in point' or 'a case in point'. Do not add 'the' before 'point'.

• ✗ Let's look at this case of point to understand the issue.

  ✓ Let's look at this case in point to understand the issue.

  The correct preposition is 'in', not 'of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many businesses struggle during recessions, and our local bookstore is a ___.

  💡 A perfect example of the situation.

  Show answer

  case in point

• To show how social media affects attention spans, let's take this recent study as a ___.

  💡 An illustrative example.

  Show answer

  case in point