federal

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!
See also: case, federal

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."
See also: case, federal, make, of

federal jug

slang A federal prison. He definitely seems hardened by his time in the federal jug.
See also: federal, jug

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!
See also: case, federal, make, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

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.

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, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a federal case
  • make a big deal about (something)
  • drag on
  • drag on (someone or something)
  • shoot first, ask questions later
  • Ooh, get you!
  • err on the side of (something)
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.
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.
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.
The Bush administration, however, was bent on enforcing the federal drug law with no exemption for the UDV and asked the U.S.
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?"
* The Federal HMO Act of 1973 sought to foster the creation of health maintenance organizations.
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.
The Federal Aviation Administration will resume testing of a global satellite navigation system at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
"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."
* 605 officers were attacked with personal weapons such as hands, fists, or feet; 229 of these assaults resulted in injury to a federal officer.
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.
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.
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.
Attorney's Office in western Tennessee charged him with violating a federal law that bars "career criminals" from owning a gun.
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.