ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cry someone a river

idiom
Meaning

To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.


Origin

first recorded 20th c. disputed origin

Probably from the song Cry Me a River (1953).

Examples
SIMPLE

He complains about his easy job, so I tell him to cry me a river.

CONTEXTUAL

She expects me to feel sorry for her mistakes, but I told her to cry me a river instead.

COMPLEX

When he began lamenting his minor inconveniences to the group, they sarcastically suggested he cry them a river.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  6. 06

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    catch someone napping

    To take advantage of someone's inattention.

  8. 08

    cry all the way to the bank

    To be happy due to the receipt of money, but sad about the cause.

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