# cry someone a river

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cry-someone-a-river
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- He complains about his easy job, so I tell him to cry me a river.
- She expects me to feel sorry for her mistakes, but I told her to cry me a river instead.
- When he began lamenting his minor inconveniences to the group, they sarcastically suggested he cry them a river.

## Origin

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

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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.