federal case

noun

: big deal
don't make a federal case out of it

Examples of federal case in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So far, Tesla has been unable to settle with the plaintiffs in the federal case, which also concerns a fatal crash in 2019 in Florida. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025 Residents in Tempe who oppose picnics have different takes on the federal case. Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025 He was also hit with state charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in Hennepin County, but the federal case is proceeding first. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025 Everything is stacked against the defendant going into a federal case, in particular one like this. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for federal case

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of federal case was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Federal case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federal%20case. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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