make a case for

Meaning

To present arguments, facts, and evidence to support a specific idea, proposal, or course of action. It is commonly used when pitching projects, requesting a budget increase, or arguing for a promotion.

Examples

• We need to make a strong case for increasing our marketing budget next year.

  We need to make a strong case for increasing our marketing budget next year.

• She managed to make a case for hiring two more developers to speed up the launch.

  She managed to make a case for hiring two more developers to speed up the launch.

• The consultant made a case for outsourcing our customer service operations.

  The consultant made a case for outsourcing our customer service operations.

• If you want a promotion, you need to make a case for yourself during the performance review.

  If you want a promotion, you need to make a case for yourself during the performance review.

• He compiled data from the last quarter to make a case for changing our sales strategy.

  He compiled data from the last quarter to make a case for changing our sales strategy.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to make a case about a budget increase.

  ✓ I want to make a case for a budget increase.

  Use the preposition 'for' to indicate the proposal you are supporting, not 'about' or 'of'.

• ✗ He did a strong case for expanding the team.

  ✓ He made a strong case for expanding the team.

  The verb collocation is always 'make a case', never 'do a case'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The product manager is trying to ________ investing in AI features.

  💡 present arguments in favor of

  Show answer

  make a case for

• You have to ________ why we should choose your agency over the competitors.

  💡 argue in support of

  Show answer

  make a case for