have a case

have a case (against someone or something)

To possess a significant amount of incriminating evidence (against someone or something), as could be presented in court. With her testimony, now we really have a case. My lawyer says we have a case against our landlord.
See also: case, have, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

have a case (against someone)

to have much evidence that can be used against someone in court. Do the police have a case against John? No, they don't have a case.
See also: case, have
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • have a case (against someone or something)
  • have the goods on (someone)
  • have the goods on someone
  • sing
  • sung
  • get the goods on
  • get the goods on (someone)
  • get the goods on someone
  • poke about
  • poke around
References in periodicals archive
TWO detectives have a case to answer for misconduct in the case of Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, a watchdog has said.
But the inquiry recommended two detectives have a case to answer for misconduct for not complying with force policy on recording decision-making and not pursuing all reasonable lines of inquiry.
Police face misconduct inquiry in Watkins abuse case