Synonyms

federal case

American

noun

a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of a federal court or a federal law-enforcement agency.

idioms

make a federal case (out) of, to exaggerate the importance of or make an issue out of (something trivial).

Etymology

Origin of federal case

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They would have made a federal case out of it, getting upset, calling the cops .

From Literature

In her ruling, Valenzuela excoriated federal prosecutors for advancing “bad faith” arguments as to why the case should be dismissed without prejudice, including an allegation that Redondo-Rosales was somehow using the federal case to avoid addressing an alleged state parole violation he faces out of San Diego County.

From Los Angeles Times

“So that means it’s a serious issue. A federal case.”

From Literature

In the past, they've asked Judge Carro to pause the proceedings while the federal case takes place, a request he has denied.

From BBC

New York State judge Gregory Carro set the date, ABC News and NBC reported, amid a spat over the scheduling of a separate federal case linked to the killing of Brian Thompson, which is slated to begin September 8.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023