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.

Yet the federal case against Smith-Griffin began before Trump took office.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 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

This is similar to another federal case against Uber a few years ago that helped set up the precedent for the current case.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2025

But what hope had the West Computers of making a federal case out of something so banal as a cafeteria sign?

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

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