build a case
Assemble supporting arguments
To build a case is to assemble evidence, arguments, or facts that support a particular conclusion or position.
The phrase comes from legal contexts, where attorneys build cases to prove guilt or innocence, but it applies broadly to any situation requiring persuasion or proof.
The detective spent months building a case against the suspect.
She's building a case for why she deserves a promotion.
You can build a case for or against something, depending on your aim.
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- fact findingInvestigating to establish truth
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
smoking gun · chain of custody · argument · legal brief · opening statement · rebuttal · burden of proof · reasonable doubt · data collection · testimony · witness stand · affidavit · methodology · circumstantial · prima facie · deposition · persuasion · precedent