Make a federal case out of something American phrase informal
To amplify something, to make it sound more important than it really is
I understand why you were mad but can you stop making a federal case out of it and just let it go? It happened long ago.
I admit I was the one who forgot to lock the door. That's it. Don't make a federal case out of it.
To be mad about something which is not necessary
I understand it was Peter's fault but he already apologized, there's no reason for you to make a federal case out of it.
A great anger or concern about something that is not important
The verb "make" should be conjugated according to its tense.
None
The origin of the phrase derived from the importance of the issues that are solved by federal courts.
It was often said by a photographer when he would like small children to look at the camera and smile before he took a photo.
When the photographer said “watch the birdie”, all of us looked at the camera and smiled.