He always cries wolf, so nobody believes him now.
cry wolf
idiomTo raise a false alarm; to constantly warn others about an imagined threat, thereby failing to get assistance when a real threat appears.
Origin
disputed originFrom the fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf, where a little boy amuses himself by repeatedly crying "wolf" to see the panic he causes in the community, but is consequently ignored when he tries to alert them to a real wolf.
The security guard cried wolf so many times that when real thieves broke in, no one came to help.
Having cried wolf about budget crises every quarter for years, the director found the board unwilling to listen when genuine insolvency finally loomed.
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cry all the way to the bank
To be happy due to the receipt of money, but sad about the cause.
- 02
cry cupboard
To want or need food; to show signs of hunger.
- 03
cry down
To condemn, disparage.
- 04
cry for help
Acting out as a means of displaying a subconscious desire for attention or help.
- 05
cry foul
To protest about something which appears to be unjust.
- 06
cry in one's beer
To feel sorry for oneself; to feel sadness or regret, especially in combination with self-pity.
- 07
cry one's eyes out
To weep for an elongated time, or in an excessive manner.
- 08
cry oneself to sleep
To cry until or to fall asleep.