cause célèbre

 
Pronunciation: /ˌkɔːz sɛˈlɛbr(ə), koz selɛbʀ/

noun (plural causes célèbres pronunc. )

  • a controversial issue that attracts a great deal of public attention: suddenly, saving the station’s architectural integrity became a cause célèbre

Origin:

mid 18th century: French, literally 'famous case'