federal case
The term "federal case" can refer to both a serious legal matter under federal jurisdiction and an exaggerated reaction to a minor issue.
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Definition
C1Legal
(technical, formal)A legal matter that falls under the jurisdiction of a federal court, involving violations of federal law.
Example
- The defendant was charged in a federal case for tax evasion.
- Federal cases often involve significant legal consequences.
B2Informal
(idiom)An overreaction to a minor issue, treating it as if it were extremely serious.
Example
- Don't make a federal case out of it; it's just a small mistake.
- She made a federal case out of being late by five minutes.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "federal case":