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federal

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federal case

A big deal. 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!

See also: case, federal

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.

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

make a federal case (out) of something

  (American)

to make something seem more important or serious than it really is (usually negative) He only swore at you - there's no need to make a federal case out of it!

See also: case, federal, make, of

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).

See also: case, federal, make, of

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!

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

federal diploma

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

See also: federal

federal jug

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

See also: 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