Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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CASE, n. Sc. usages.

1. Condition. Cf. arch. Eng. in good case, in good physical condition.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 155:
He borrow't John Arbuckle's face, His belly, too, o' richt guid case.Fif.¹⁰ 1938:
He's in gey gude case noo.

2. In phrases: (1) case alaek, all the same; (2) be his own case or "his own case be it", May his misfortune be confined to himself. Both expressions are prophylactic; the first from the Gael. a réir a chùise fhéin according to his own case, the second Sc., see Taiken; (3) (in) case be, caseby, in case, lest; perhaps; known to Bnff.² and Abd. correspondents (1938); cf. obs. Eng. if case be that. Also in reduced form case; (4) case equal = (1); (5) in a case, in a state of excitement (Bnff.², Abd.² 1938).(1)Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 17:
"It's case alaek, lamb," says Girzzie, "only it's best ta pay as folk gengs." (2)e.Rs.¹ 1929
An apology or expression of sympathy when one is referring to some unpleasant or distressul happening to a person: he broke his leg, and be his own case the bone was sticking oot. (3) Sc. 1887 Jam.⁶:
An' case be ye'll meet him.Abd. 1921 M. Argo Janet's Choice 15:
Gang yir wa's wi' them, Janet, caseby he thinks ye're unco prood.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 32, 269: 
I'm awfu' feared case it's the choleray. . . . I'll gae in afore ye, case ye play cleich owre onything.Lnk. 1808 W. Watson Misc. Poetry 28: 
She . . . high Parnassus darna speel, Case-be she fa'.Ayr. 1912 "P. McPhun" Verse Maistly in the Doric 27:
Don't taigle, in case be it rains.(4) Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
"It's case equal," i.e. it's just the same; it's as broad as it's long.(5) Abd.¹³ 1914:
She's in a case to win awa.