As the case may be Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Decision Specific Use it when the situation can end in different ways, and you're unsure which. The meeting could be postponed or canceled, as the case may be. Pro Tip 2/3Different Scenarios It's useful when you want to cover all possible outcomes in one statement. The item could be new or used, as the case may be. Pro Tip 3/3Neutral Tone The phrase has a neutral tone and doesn't suggest a preference for any outcome. We'll process your return or exchange, as the case may be.