federal

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

Related to federal: Federal Reserve, Federal Express

a federal case

Something that one perceives as being examined excessively. The phrase is often used to complain that someone is exaggerating a problem or alleged wrongdoing. So I ate your leftovers. Geez, don't make a federal case out of it! I'm not trying to make a federal case out of it, but I know you stole my new sweater! My goodness, Seth's making such a federal case out of something that was a complete accident.

don't make a federal case (out) of (something)

Don't exaggerate or build up the importance of something; don't make a big deal out of something. The phrase is often used to complain that someone is exaggerating a problem or alleged wrongdoing. So I ate your leftovers. Geez, don't make a federal case out of it! A: "I know you borrowed my new sweater without asking me first." B: "Oh, come on, don't make a federal case out of it." My goodness, don't make a federal case of something that was a complete accident.

federal jug

slang A federal prison. He definitely seems hardened by his time in the federal jug. You've gotta get me cleared of these charges—I can't go to the federal jug! A: "Did you hear that the new guy has done time in the federal jug?" B: "Are you serious? What was his crime?"

make a federal case (out) of (something)

To exaggerate or build up the importance of something; to make a big deal out of something. The phrase is often used to complain that someone is exaggerating a problem or alleged wrongdoing. So I ate your leftovers. Geez, don't make a federal case out of it! I'm not trying to make a federal case out of it, but I know you stole my new sweater!

make a federal case out of something

and make a big deal about something

to exaggerate the seriousness of something. Come on. It was nothing! Don't make a federal case out of it. I only stepped on your toe. Don't make a big deal about it.

make a federal case of

Also, make a big deal of. Give undue importance to an issue, as in I'll pay you back next week-you needn't make a federal case of it, or Jack is making a big deal of filling out his passport application. The first hyperbolic expression, almost always used in a negative context, alludes to taking a legal action before a high (federal) court. The second alludes to an important business transaction (see big deal, def. 1).

make a federal case out of something

AMERICAN

If someone makes a federal case out of something, they treat it as if it is much worse or more serious than it really is. Note: In the first two expressions, a case is a matter that is being dealt with by a lawyer or doctor, rather than referring to a box or suitcase. I am not trying to make a federal case out of it, but with minor changes, you could achieve so much more.

See also: case, federal, make, of, out, something

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

Don’t make a federal case out of it!

sent. Don’t make such a fuss!; This isn’t as important as you are making it. So, I dropped a whole dozen eggs! I’ll clean it up. Don’t make a federal case out of it!

federal diploma

n. a U.S. bank note. I could use a few extra of those federal diplomas.

federal jug

n. a federal prison. (see also jug.) Lefty is fresh and sweet—just out of the federal jug.

make a federal case out of something

tv. to exaggerate the importance of an error; to overdo something. Do you have to make a federal case out of everything?

See also: case, federal, make, of, out, something

See also:

References in periodicals archive ?

It will exercise exclusive jurisdiction over conflicts within the Federal Government and its branches and agencies; between Federal Government and Federated Regions and between and among the Federated Regions.

Four chief justices, high courts in proposed federal constitution

That is not the case in federal courts, where document discovery and depositions are put on hold to protect a defendant, at least until a court decides that the lawsuit is legally sufficient.

High court gives clarity to litigation venues: in a key decision issued earlier this year, the Supreme Court has restricted the ability of plaintiffs' attorneys to shop for accommodating state venues for class action suits. Most must now be pursued in more predictable federal courts

1100, Marriage Protection Act of 2005: Seeks to keep federal courts and the Supreme Court from reviewing cases related to Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

An alternative to amendments: many Americans, tired of federal courts meddling in their lives, have resorted to trying to add new amendments to the Constitution, but there's a better solution

The Bush administration, however, was bent on enforcing the federal drug law with no exemption for the UDV and asked the U.S.

Invitation to tea: unanimous Supreme Court says federal religious freedom law protects small group's use of hallucinogenic sacrament

Rik says the real question facing Federal Metal and other nonferrous consumers is, "Is this a blip on the historical radar screen, or are we really reaching a new world order where China and India and the rest of Asia are going to drive us to new levels?"

Proven metal: the Federal Metal Co. seeks to meet its customers' unique needs in a shifting market

* The Federal HMO Act of 1973 sought to foster the creation of health maintenance organizations.

Protecting the pledge: the quest for cohesive U.S. insurance regulation spans three centuries, and an end to the journey still isn't assured

The Federal Reserve Board and the New York State Banking Department announced on October 14, 2005, the execution of a written agreement by and among the Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the New York State Banking Department.

Enforcement actions

The Federal Aviation Administration will resume testing of a global satellite navigation system at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

Travel Safety & Security Update July 2005

"We are hoping for a clear restatement in a public forum, including the OSC's Web site, that sexual orientation--based discrimination is prohibited in the federal workforce."

A blind eye to discrimination: Scott Bloch, the Bush appointee who tried to ditch protections for gay federal employees, has a new scandal on his hands: a gay whistle-blower Bloch's office tried to sweep under the carpet

* 605 officers were attacked with personal weapons such as hands, fists, or feet; 229 of these assaults resulted in injury to a federal officer.

Federal law enforcement officers killed and assaulted

By March 2004, Wright had trumped all other bidders by offering the highest price, paying a premium of 1.51 times Independence Federal's book value and agreeing to pay the bank's shareholders $21 per share in cash for each share of common stock they held.

Carver vs. OneUnited: in the battle for market share and customers, the nation's two largest black banks seek to grow through acquisition. Which one will ultimately win the fight to be No. 1?

3, 2004, that merely granting civil union status would not satisfy the decision to grant marriage rights to two individuals of the same gender; see Opinions of the Justices to the Senate (SJC-09163, 2/3/04).This position immediately incited debate, as Lawmakers, government agencies and activist groups began wrestling with the resulting implications for two important issues: filing Federal returns and qualifying for Social Security benefits.

Federal tax implications of same-sex marriage

Whether you supported or opposed the Bush administration, there is no question that the federal government established only a handful of new programs during its first four years.

Why Washington ignores you

Attorney's Office in western Tennessee charged him with violating a federal law that bars "career criminals" from owning a gun.

Washington's biggest crime problem: the federal government's ever-expanding criminal code is an affront to justice and the Constitution

Although the Higher Education Act is comprised of seven titles (covering such areas as teacher quality enhancement, international education, and institutional aid programs), traditionally, the title that garners the most attention is Title IV, which authorizes federal student assistance and student support services programs such as Pell grants, Stafford loans, TRIO, and GEAR UP.

Keep reauthorization on the mark: IHEs must work to keep the focus on topics that will make a difference to their needy students