# crocodile tear

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/crocodile-tear
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A tear shed insincerely, in a false display of sorrow or some other emotion.

## Examples

- She shed crocodile tears at the funeral.
- The toddler sheds a crocodile tear to get an extra cookie.
- He cried crocodile tears when his rival lost, though everyone knew he was secretly pleased.
- The manager wiped away a crocodile tear while announcing the layoffs, even though he had already planned his own bonus for the year.
- Don't be fooled by his crocodile tears; he only acts sad when he gets caught breaking the rules at school.
- The politician wept crocodile tears for the victims, yet had voted against the very aid he now mourned the lack of.

## Origin

From the ancient belief that crocodiles shed tears while consuming their prey. The notion of the weeping predator persisted for centuries, predicated on the observation of moisture appearing in the animal's eyes during feeding, which was historically interpreted as a display of grief rather than a biological process. The term entered the language to denote a display of sorrow that is purely performative.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.