# more cry than wool

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/more-cry-than-wool
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Dramatic assertions that are backed by little evidence.

## Examples

- His loud complaints are more cry than wool.
- That scary dog is actually more cry than wool.
- Their protest seems to be more cry than wool today.
- The politician promised massive changes, but his plan was more cry than wool when we looked at the details.
- The manager threatened to fire everyone during the meeting, but we all knew his anger was more cry than wool.
- She talks about her expensive lifestyle constantly, but her empty bank account shows it is more cry than wool.
- The storm warning sounded terrifying on the news, but the actual weather was more cry than wool as only a few drops of rain fell.
- The company's marketing campaign promised a revolutionary product, yet the final release proved to be more cry than wool, leaving investors disappointed.

## Origin

Derived from the practice of shearing sheep, in which the sheep may "cry" as their wool is removed. The earliest recorded variation appears to be by 15th century English lawyer John Fortescue, who wrote "Moche Crye and no Wull" in De laudibus legum Angliae (c. 1470), ch. x.

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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.