в случай

• В СЛУЧАЕ быть; В СЛУЧАЕ попасть (у кого) both obs

[PrepP; these forms only; subj-compl with copula (subj: human)]

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⇒ (to be, end up) under the patronage of an influential person:

- X попал в случай{{}}≈ X was (found himself, ended up) in Y's good graces;

- X gained Y's favor;

- [in limited contexts] X became (was) a court favorite (a favorite of the tsar's etc).

     ♦ "Подойди, подойди, любезный! Я и отцу-то твоему правду одна говорила, когда он в случае был, а тебе-то и бог велит" (Толстой 4). "Come on, come closer, my dear! I used to be the only one to tell that father of yours the truth in the days when he was a court favorite, and now it's my sacred duty to do the same for you" (4a).