federal case
Americannoun
idioms
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.
That can happen in civil litigation: Sometimes you have a private agreement, where both sides agree that they want to get rid of the case before they make a federal case out of it.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
The Orange County district attorney’s office had originally charged Jennings in connection to the shooting but dismissed the case to allow for the federal case to proceed, according to the Justice Department.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges and a separate federal case.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Each has also pleaded guilty in the federal case.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
“She didn’t have to go make a federal case out of it.”
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
