federal case

NOUN

minor problem made into a major issue

Synonyms

WEAK

big deal much ado about nothing storm in a teacup

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 didn’t do that because they wanted to have the trappings and the veneer of making it look as if it were a real federal case.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

In the federal case, the judge ruled that prosecutors could use the backpack evidence in question.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

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 • Feb. 6, 2026

The federal case carries the same potential punishment after a US judge barred prosecutors in late January from seeking the death penalty against Mangione.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

“She didn’t have to go make a federal case out of it.”

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia