reduce someone to tears
To cause to cry.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His mean words reduced her to tears.”
“The harsh criticism from the director reduced the young actor to tears during the rehearsal.”
“The sudden news of the loss was so overwhelming that it reduced the entire family to tears as they gathered in the living room.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
blood, sweat and tears
A person's determination and hard work.
- 05
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 06
burst into tears
To suddenly start crying or sobbing.
- 07
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 08
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
Last updated August 10, 2026