federal

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.

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." My goodness, don't make a federal case of something that was a complete accident.

See also: case, federal, make, of

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?"

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. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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!

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 Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.