just in case
256
3.3
- idiom
:
por si acaso
- Max put the hospital bag in the car just in case anything happens.
I'd probably tuck it in just in case the hoodie itself goes up.
- I'd probably tuck it in just in case the hoodie itself goes up.
- Too often we cling to the things we own just in case we might need them someday.
- Yeah, just in case any future partners watch this.
- That's having this service available just in case, correct?
- And so then I have them here just in case I have a mishap or a slip up.
Examples
-
I'll wait with you if you don't mind, just in case I'm needed.
Fiction book (1991) -
Witness for Peace will keep our letters for us, just in case.
Academic text (2001) -
Yeah, just in case any future partners watch this.
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We'll fix the car just in case.
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I brought your uniform just in case.
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I think I'll bring all of these just in case they need extra gloves.
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Take some nuts with you, just in case you see a squirrel.
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Too often we cling to the things we own just in case we might need them someday.
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lt wouldn't be a bad idea to add a few extra guards this weekend just in case.
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Max put the hospital bag in the car just in case anything happens.
Synonyms
558
1.0
To do something to be safe if a problem happens later
Antonyms
How Cautious
256
3.3
558
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The core meaning comes transparently from 'in case' = 'in the event/situation that' (i.e., because of the possibility of a particular case) and 'just' simply adds a precautionary nuance. This compositional logic is common across languages (e.g., Spanish 'por si acaso', French 'au cas où'), so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the intended precautionary meaning.
Etymology
The phrase just in case comes from a simple image: you leave something nearby 'in case' you need it later, like putting a spare key by the door if you might get locked out. So it means 'to be prepared' or 'as a precaution'.