rest the case

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiomlegallaw

   To finish presenting your evidence and arguments in a court case.

   Grammar: Used as a complete verb phrase; the subject is usually a lawyer or a party in the case.

   Patterns

   • rest the case
   • rest your case
   • the prosecution rests its case
   • the defense rests its case

   After calling three witnesses, the prosecutor decided to rest the case.

   The judge asked the defense attorney if she was ready to rest the case.

   Both sides rested the case, and the jury began its deliberations.

2. 2phraseidiominformalfigurative

   To stop arguing or explaining because you believe you have made your point clear.

   Grammar: Often used humorously or emphatically in everyday talk, not just in law.

   Patterns

   • rest the case
   • I rest my case

   You said you would be on time, and you arrived an hour late — I rest the case.

   He gave one more example and then rested the case.

   She looked at the messy room and said, "I rest the case."

Common combinations

rest your case

The lawyer stood up and said, "Your Honor, I rest my case."

the prosecution rests its case

After presenting the DNA evidence, the prosecution rested its case.

the defense rests its case

The defense will rest its case after one final witness.

I rest my case

You forgot your keys again — I rest my case.

Synonyms and how they differ

conclude

A more general word meaning to bring something to an end; it does not have the specific legal meaning of finishing evidence in court.

wrap up

Informal and used for many activities; it suggests finishing a task, not a formal legal step.

Word family

rest verb

To stop presenting evidence in a legal case; also means to relax or stop working.

resting adjective

In legal contexts, describes a case that has been formally concluded by one side.

Commonly confused: rest the case or rest?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rest the case”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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