packing-case
Definition
Noun: A "packing-case" is a large, strong box or crate used for packing and transporting goods, especially for shipping or moving items securely.
Usage Examples
Advanced Usage
"to pack in a packing-case": to place items into such a crate for transport.
- We packed all the books in a single packing-case to save space. (We placed all books into one large crate.)
"to unpack a packing-case": to remove items from the crate.
- The movers unpacked each packing-case and checked for damage. (They removed the contents from the crate.)
Variants and Related Words
- Packing (n): the act of placing items into containers for transport.
- Proper packing is essential to prevent breakage. (The process of putting items into boxes or cases.)
- Case (n): a container or covering for holding something.
- She stored her documents in a metal case. (A container for protection or storage.)
- Crate (n): a similar large container, often made of wood or plastic.
- The oranges were shipped in a wooden crate. (A large box for bulk transport.)
Synonyms
- Crate: a large, strong container for goods.
- Box: a simpler, often smaller container.
- Container: a general term for any receptacle used for holding items.
Related Idioms
- "out of the packing-case": directly from the crate; unopened or unused.
- The new machine was still out of the packing-case when it arrived. (It was still in its original crate, not yet unpacked.)
- "packing-case mentality": a mindset focused on efficient storage and transport, often used metaphorically.
- The warehouse workers had a packing-case mentality, organizing everything in neat rows. (They thought in terms of crates and efficient arrangement.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Pack up: to put items into containers for storage or transport.
- We need to pack up the laboratory equipment before the move. (Place items into packing-cases or boxes.)
- Case out: to remove items from a case or crate.
- The team cased out the new supplies from the packing-case. (They unpacked the crate.)