federal case

NOUN

minor problem made into a major issue

Synonyms

WEAK

big deal much ado about nothing storm in a teacup

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.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges and a separate federal case.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Eileen Wang, an Arcadia city leader facing charges of acting as an illegal foreign agent of China, resigned Monday after reaching an agreement to resolve the federal case.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

However, technology industry groups that count Google, Meta and Snap among their members are continuing with a federal case against the law.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

This is similar to another federal case against Uber a few years ago that helped set up the precedent for the current case.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2025

“She didn’t have to go make a federal case out of it.”

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia