In ordinary conversation, language serves as extra than only a tool for sharing statistics—it enables us bring complex emotions and emotional states. One of the most expressive areas of language involves idioms, specifically those related to crying or disappointment. These emotionally rich phrases go past literal meanings, presenting a deeper, greater colorful manner to talk approximately human experiences.
Idioms connected to crying aren’t usually about physical tears. Instead, they mirror more than a few feelings—heartache, frustration, vulnerability, and once in a while even dramatic reactions. Whether in informal conversations or greater reflective writing, those idioms enhance how we speak and hook up with others.
By studying and using idioms for crying, we advantage a more nuanced expertise of how people specific sorrow or emotional crush. These expressions add flavor to our speech and help us relate to shared human studies in a greater heartfelt way.
1. Crocodile Tears
Definition: This word refers to an exaggerated or fake show of disappointment, regularly used when someone pretends to be disenchanted for personal advantage or to govern others.
Example: She showed crocodile tears after the selection was made, but every body knew she was secretly pleased.
2. Cry Over Spilled Milk
Definition: Used to spotlight the futility of being disenchanted over some thing that has already occurred and can’t be changed.
Example: I comprehend it became a mistake, however there’s no point in crying over spilled milk. Let’s pass ahead.
3. Cry Your Eyes Out
Definition: To cry intensely and for an extended length, generally due to emotional ache.
Example: She cried her eyes out after announcing good-bye to her childhood home.
4. Bawl Your Eyes Out
Definition: A more dramatic manner to say a person is crying loudly and uncontrollably.
Example: He bawled his eyes out after hearing the devastating information.
5. Cry on Someone’s Shoulder
Definition: To locate emotional help or comfort from any other man or woman during a difficult second.
Example: Whenever she feels crushed, she is aware of she can constantly cry on her sister’s shoulder.
6. Cry Foul
Definition: To openly whinge or protest approximately something perceived as unfair or unjust.
Example: The athlete cried foul after a questionable name price him the championship.
See Also : 30 Idioms for Excitement
7. Cry Havoc
Definition: A dramatic expression used whilst some thing triggers chaos, ailment, or intense disruption.
Example: The whistleblower’s revelations cried havoc throughout the company global.
8. Cry Wolf
Definition: To time and again improve a fake alarm or make exaggerated claims, specially to get interest.
Example: After too many fake reviews, no one believed him—he had cried wolf too often.
9. Cry Baby
Definition: A vital term for a person who complains or becomes emotional too effortlessly.
Example: He’s acting like a cry infant simply due to the fact things didn’t pass his way.
10. Cry Me a River
Definition: A sarcastic or dismissive observation aimed at someone perceived as overly emotional or melodramatic.
Example: You’re upset due to the fact you didn’t win? Cry me a river and recover from it.
11. Cry Uncle
Meaning: To admit defeat or surrender, normally throughout a conflict or project.
Example: After losing three rounds in a row, he finally gave in and cried uncle, unable to keep up any longer.
12. Cry for the Moon
Meaning: To preference something unrealistic or impossible to attain.
Example: Expecting to be promoted after just one week on the job is like crying for the moon—absolutely out of attain.
13. Cry Long Enough to Get Your Way
Meaning: To display persistent emotional misery till one’s needs are met.
Example: The little one knew that if he cried lengthy enough, his parents could supply in and buy him the toy.
14. Cry Your Heart Out
Meaning: To cry deeply and emotionally, often as a way of managing ache or sorrow.
Example: She cried her heart out after the heartbreaking news approximately her beloved pet.
15. Cry on the Inside
Meaning: To hide one’s emotional pain or disappointment, maintaining it private rather than expressing it outwardly.
Example: He smiled thru the assembly, however inner, he become crying at the inner after dropping someone close.
16. Cry the Blues
Meaning: To explicit deep unhappiness or despair, regularly via soulful music or lamenting.
Example: As he strummed his guitar, he cried the blues, sharing his sorrow via every chord.
17. Cry of Victory
Meaning: A positive shout or emotional outburst after achieving success.
Example: When she finished the marathon, her cry of victory echoed thru the gang.
See Also : 30 Idioms for Excitement
18. A Crying Shame
Meaning: A disappointing or unlucky state of affairs that stirs regret or frustration.
Example: It’s a crying shame that this kind of gifted artist went omitted for so long.
19. Let the Dogs of War Slip and Cry Havoc
Meaning: To unleash chaos or war, initially from Shakespeare, symbolizing the begin of battle or destruction.
Example: The commander’s orders regarded designed to cry havoc and allow slip the puppies of war, igniting unrest.
20. Cry Over Cut Onions
Meaning: To fake to be disenchanted or emotional whilst it’s no longer real—frequently used mockingly.
Example: She faked her disappointment to avoid cleansing up, but every body knew she changed into just crying over cut onions.
21. Cry a Waterfall
Meaning: To cry a lot that it seems like a waterfall is pouring from your eyes—used to explain overwhelming sadness.
Example: When Sarah’s exceptional friend moved to some other us of a, she cried a waterfall for days.
Similar Phrases: Weep uncontrollably, cry a river, sob for ever and ever
22. Cry One’s Eyes Dry
Meaning: To cry till no tears are left, regularly due to severe sorrow or extended grief.
Example: She cried her eyes dry after dropping the puppy she had raised since childhood.
Similar Phrases: Run out of tears, sob till tired, weep till not anything’s left
23. Break Into Tears
Meaning: To begin crying suddenly, frequently brought about with the aid of shock, pressure, or emotion.
Example: He broke into tears the instant he saw the wonder letter from his overdue grandfather.
Similar Phrases: Burst into tears, unexpectedly weep, begin crying with out caution
24. Shed a Flood of Tears
Meaning: To cry in massive quantities, generally because of deep emotional misery.
Example: The entire own family shed a flood of tears after they heard the very last verdict.
Similar Phrases: Cry closely, weep profusely, mourn deeply
25. Cry One’s Heartache Away
Meaning: To cry as a manner of soothing emotional wounds or operating via grief.
Example: She spent quiet nights crying her heartache away after the surprising breakup.
Similar Phrases: Weep for recuperation, sob to release pain, cry to feel higher
MCQs:
1. What does the idiom “Crocodile Tears” mean?
A) Crying out of joy
B) Genuine sadness
C) Fake or insincere display of emotion ✅
D) Laughing while crying
2. Which idiom refers to being upset over something that can’t be changed?
A) Cry Havoc
B) Cry Me a River
C) Cry Over Spilled Milk ✅
D) Cry on the Inside
3. “Cry Wolf” means:
A) To cry like a wolf
B) To make repeated false claims for attention ✅
C) To howl in pain
D) To beg for forgiveness
4. What does “Cry on Someone’s Shoulder” imply?
A) To physically cry on someone
B) To express anger
C) To seek emotional support from someone ✅
D) To blame someone for your problems
5. Which idiom suggests someone is hiding their sadness?
A) Cry the Blues
B) Cry Me a River
C) Cry on the Inside ✅
D) Cry a Waterfall
6. The idiom “Break Into Tears” means:
A) To fake emotions
B) To suddenly start crying ✅
C) To cry due to happiness
D) To laugh until you cry
7. If someone “cries a waterfall,” they are:
A) Pretending to cry
B) Slightly emotional
C) Crying excessively ✅
D) Crying because of onions
8. What does “Cry Foul” most accurately mean?
A) To act like a victim
B) To protest against something unfair ✅
C) To cry after a mistake
D) To admit guilt
9. Which idiom describes crying as a way to heal emotional pain?
A) Cry of Victory
B) Cry One’s Heartache Away ✅
C) Cry Baby
D) Cry for the Moon
10. “Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War” refers to:
A) Expressing sadness dramatically
B) Starting a peaceful conversation
C) Unleashing chaos or conflict ✅
D) Crying due to frustration
Summary: Idioms for Crying
The English language is full of wealthy, expressive idioms that allow us to communicate deep emotions, particularly sadness, unhappiness, and vulnerability. Idioms associated with crying go beyond literal tears, regularly shooting a wide variety of emotional states—from frustration and sorrow to exaggeration and sarcasm.
This article explores 25 idioms related to crying, including “Crocodile Tears” (pretending to be sad), “Cry Over Spilled Milk” (dwelling on some thing that may’t be changed), and “Cry One’s Heart Out” (expressing deep sorrow). Some idioms, like “Cry Wolf”, warn against dishonesty, whilst others like “Cry on the Inside” display hidden pain.
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