Idioms for Crying: A Comprehensive Guide

Idioms add color and depth to the English language, allowing speakers to express complex emotions and ideas in a concise and vivid way. When it comes to expressing sadness or the act of crying, English offers a rich variety of idioms.

Understanding these idioms not only enhances your comprehension of the language but also allows you to communicate more effectively and expressively. This article will explore a wide range of idioms related to crying, providing definitions, examples, and practical exercises to help you master their usage.

This guide is perfect for English language learners of all levels, from beginners looking to expand their vocabulary to advanced speakers aiming to refine their expressive abilities.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Idioms for Crying
• Structural Breakdown of Idioms
• Types and Categories of Crying Idioms
  • Expressing Sadness
  • Expressing Relief
  • Expressing Exaggerated Crying
• Examples of Crying Idioms
• Usage Rules for Crying Idioms
• Common Mistakes with Crying Idioms
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: Nuances and Context
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Idioms for Crying

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words. Instead, an idiom has a figurative meaning that is known through common use.

Idioms related to crying are phrases that describe the act of crying or the state of being sad in a non-literal way. These idioms often use imagery and metaphors to convey emotions more vividly and succinctly than literal descriptions.

Crying idioms can be classified by their function. Some idioms describe the act of crying itself, while others express the intensity, cause, or effect of crying.

The context in which these idioms are used is crucial. Some idioms are appropriate for formal settings, while others are more suitable for casual conversations.

Understanding the nuances of each idiom is essential for effective communication.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms generally consist of a fixed sequence of words. Their structure is rigid, meaning that you cannot usually change the order of the words or substitute them with synonyms without altering or losing the idiom’s meaning.

For example, the idiom “cry your eyes out” cannot be changed to “weep your eyes out” or “cry your eyeballs out” without sounding unnatural or incorrect.

Many idioms involve verbs related to crying, such as “cry,” “weep,” or “bawl.” These verbs are often combined with prepositions, adjectives, or nouns to create the idiomatic meaning. The grammatical structure of an idiom is important to maintain its integrity.

Any alteration can render the idiom nonsensical or change its intended meaning.

Types and Categories of Crying Idioms

Crying idioms can be categorized based on the specific emotion or situation they describe. Here are some common categories:

Expressing Sadness

These idioms describe the general feeling of sadness or sorrow that leads to crying. They often convey a sense of deep emotional pain or grief.

Expressing Relief

This category includes idioms that describe crying as a release of pent-up emotions, often after a period of stress or anxiety. These idioms suggest a cathartic effect of crying.

Expressing Exaggerated Crying

These idioms are used to describe situations where someone is crying excessively or dramatically, often to emphasize a point or elicit sympathy. They often carry a connotation of insincerity or melodrama.

Examples of Crying Idioms

The following tables provide examples of common idioms related to crying, categorized by their meaning. Each table includes the idiom, its definition, and example sentences to illustrate its usage.

The table below will give you some examples of idioms that describe the act of crying or sadness.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Cry your eyes out	To cry intensely for a long time.	She cried her eyes out when she heard the news of her grandfather’s passing.
Bawl your eyes out	To cry loudly and uncontrollably.	The child bawled his eyes out after falling and scraping his knee.
Weep buckets	To cry a lot.	I wept buckets during the sad movie.
Shed tears	To cry.	He shed tears of joy at his daughter’s wedding.
Break down in tears	To start crying suddenly.	She broke down in tears when she received the rejection letter.
Choke back tears	To try not to cry.	He choked back tears as he delivered the eulogy.
Have a good cry	To cry freely and release emotions.	Sometimes you just need to have a good cry to feel better.
Tears well up	Tears start to form in one’s eyes.	Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered her childhood.
Cry a river	To cry a lot, often exaggerated.	She cried a river when her favorite TV show was cancelled.
Cry one’s heart out	To cry very sadly.	He cried his heart out after the loss of his beloved pet.
Tears stream down	Tears flow down one’s face.	Tears streamed down her face as she listened to the heartbreaking story.
Pour one’s heart out	To express one’s feelings openly, often involving crying.	She poured her heart out to her best friend after the argument.
Cry into one’s beer	To complain and feel sorry for oneself, often while drinking.	He was crying into his beer about his failed relationship.
Turn on the waterworks	To start crying deliberately to get sympathy.	She turned on the waterworks when she didn’t get her way.
Be on the verge of tears	To be close to crying.	She was on the verge of tears when she talked about her struggles.
Hold back the tears	To try not to cry.	He tried to hold back the tears during the emotional speech.
Wipe away tears	To remove tears from one’s face.	She wiped away her tears and tried to smile.
Bury one’s face in one’s hands	To hide one’s face while crying.	He buried his face in his hands and sobbed quietly.
Tears prick one’s eyes	To feel a stinging sensation as tears begin to form.	Tears pricked her eyes as she watched the touching scene.
Cry oneself to sleep	To cry until one falls asleep.	She cried herself to sleep after a difficult day.
Watery eyes	Eyes that are filled with tears.	He had watery eyes after hearing the sad news.
A lump in one’s throat	A tight feeling in the throat caused by strong emotion, often preventing speech.	She had a lump in her throat as she said goodbye.
Have a sob	To cry with convulsive gasps.	He had a sob as he remembered his childhood.

The following table showcases idioms that describe the absence of crying, often in situations where one might expect tears.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Not shed a tear	To not cry, even when expected to.	Despite the sad movie, he didn’t shed a tear.
Dry-eyed	Without tears, unemotional.	She remained dry-eyed throughout the funeral.
Keep a stiff upper lip	To remain stoic and not show emotion, especially sadness.	He kept a stiff upper lip even though he was devastated.
Hold it together	To manage to control one’s emotions and not cry.	She tried to hold it together for the sake of the children.
Brave face	To show courage and hide one’s sadness.	She put on a brave face despite her heartbreak.
Bottle up emotions	To suppress or hide one’s feelings.	He tended to bottle up his emotions instead of expressing them.
Stony-faced	Showing no emotion, especially sadness.	He remained stony-faced despite the tragic news.
Stone-cold	Completely unemotional, lacking empathy.	He seemed stone-cold and unaffected by the suffering around him.
Play it cool	To act calm and unemotional.	She tried to play it cool even though she was deeply hurt.
Keep one’s composure	To maintain a calm and controlled demeanor.	He struggled to keep his composure during the difficult meeting.
Not bat an eye	To show no reaction or surprise.	He didn’t bat an eye when he heard the shocking news.
Poker face	An expressionless face that hides one’s true feelings.	She maintained a poker face throughout the tense negotiation.
Stoic	Enduring hardship without showing feelings.	He remained stoic in the face of adversity.
Unflinching	Not showing fear or hesitation in the face of danger or difficulty.	She remained unflinching despite the pressure.
Unmoved	Not affected by emotion.	He seemed unmoved by the plight of the refugees.
Not let it show	To hide one’s true feelings.	She didn’t let it show, but she was secretly devastated.
Mask one’s feelings	To hide one’s true emotions.	He tried to mask his feelings with a smile.
Put on a facade	To present a false appearance.	She put on a facade of happiness to hide her sadness.
Steel oneself	To prepare oneself mentally to face something difficult.	He steeled himself before delivering the bad news.
Harden one’s heart	To become emotionally unfeeling.	He had to harden his heart to survive the harsh environment.
Shut down emotionally	To become emotionally unresponsive.	After the trauma, she shut down emotionally.

The table below showcases idioms that describe the opposite of crying, often in situations where one might expect tears.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Laugh in the face of adversity	To maintain a cheerful attitude despite facing difficulties.	He laughed in the face of adversity, refusing to let challenges defeat him.
Grin and bear it	To accept something unpleasant without complaint.	She had to grin and bear it when her flight was delayed.
Look on the bright side	To focus on the positive aspects of a situation.	Even after losing her job, she tried to look on the bright side.
Make light of it	To treat something serious as a joke.	He tried to make light of it to ease the tension.
Brush it off	To dismiss something as unimportant.	She brushed off the criticism and continued her work.
Take it in stride	To deal with something calmly and without getting upset.	He took the setback in stride and started planning his next move.
Keep one’s chin up	To remain cheerful despite difficulties.	She told him to keep his chin up during the tough times.
See the silver lining	To find something positive in a negative situation.	Even in the storm, she tried to see the silver lining.
Turn lemons into lemonade	To make something positive out of a negative situation.	He turned lemons into lemonade by starting his own business after losing his job.
Rise above it	To overcome a difficult situation.	She managed to rise above her difficult childhood.
Shake it off	To forget about something upsetting.	She shook off the negative experience and moved on.
Turn the other cheek	To respond to an insult or injury without retaliating.	He decided to turn the other cheek instead of getting into a fight.
Let it roll off one’s back	To not allow criticism or negativity to affect you.	She learned to let the negativity roll off her back.
Not lose sleep over it	To not worry about something.	He decided not to lose sleep over it and focus on more important things.
Take heart	To feel encouraged.	He took heart from the positive feedback he received.
Keep smiling	To maintain a cheerful expression despite difficulties.	She tried to keep smiling even when things were tough.
Whistle a happy tune	To pretend to be happy when one is not.	He whistled a happy tune to mask his sadness.
Look ahead	To focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past.	She decided to look ahead and plan her next steps.
Make the best of it	To do whatever is possible to enjoy a bad situation.	They decided to make the best of it despite the rain.
Keep a positive attitude	To maintain an optimistic outlook.	She tried to keep a positive attitude throughout the challenge.
Chin up, buttercup	A cheerful expression encouraging someone to be positive.	Chin up, buttercup, things will get better.

Usage Rules for Crying Idioms

When using idioms for crying, it’s important to consider the context and audience. Some idioms are more appropriate for informal settings, while others can be used in more formal situations.

Pay attention to the connotations of each idiom. Some idioms may carry a negative or sarcastic tone, while others are more neutral or sympathetic.

Verb tense: Ensure that the verb tense in the idiom agrees with the tense of the sentence. For example, “She cried her eyes out” (past tense) versus “She is going to cry her eyes out” (future tense).

Subject-verb agreement: Make sure that the subject and verb in the sentence agree. For example, “He sheds tears” (singular) versus “They shed tears” (plural).

Word order: Do not change the word order of an idiom, as this can alter or negate its meaning. The words in an idiom have a fixed sequence.

Common Mistakes with Crying Idioms

One common mistake is using the wrong verb tense. For example, saying “She cry her eyes out” instead of “She cried her eyes out” is incorrect.

Another common error is changing the wording of the idiom. For example, “Cry your face out” instead of “Cry your eyes out” is incorrect and doesn’t convey the intended meaning.

Using an idiom in an inappropriate context is also a common mistake. For example, using “cry a river” in a formal business presentation would be inappropriate.

Below are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
She cry her eyes out.	She cried her eyes out.	The verb tense must agree with the past tense context.
Cry your face out.	Cry your eyes out.	The correct wording of the idiom must be used.
He weeped buckets.	He wept buckets.	The correct past tense of “weep” is “wept.”
They are going to bawl their heart out.	They are going to cry their hearts out.	“Cry” is more commonly used with “heart out” than “bawl”.
She broke to tears.	She broke down in tears.	The correct preposition “down” must be included.

Practice Exercises

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate idiom related to crying from the list provided below. Write your answers in the table.

Idiom List: cry your eyes out, weep buckets, shed tears, break down in tears, choke back tears, have a good cry, tears well up, cry a river, cry one’s heart out, watery eyes

Question	Answer
1. She _______ when she heard the news.	She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
2. He tried to _______ as he spoke about his loss.	He tried to choke back tears as he spoke about his loss.
3. Sometimes, you just need to _______.	Sometimes, you just need to have a good cry.
4. _______ in her eyes as she remembered the happy memories.	Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the happy memories.
5. She _______ after watching the sad movie.	She cried her eyes out after watching the sad movie.
6. The children _______ when their pet died.	The children cried their hearts out when their pet died.
7. After the difficult day, she just wanted to _______.	After the difficult day, she just wanted to cry her eyes out.
8. He _______ during the emotional scene in the play.	He shed tears during the emotional scene in the play.
9. She _______ when her favorite character died on the show.	She cried a river when her favorite character died on the show.
10. He had _______ after reading the heartbreaking letter.	He had watery eyes after reading the heartbreaking letter.

Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. After losing the game, he __________.	a) cried a lake, b) cried a river, c) cried a sea	b) cried a river
2. She __________ when she saw her old friend.	a) broke in tears, b) broke down in tears, c) broke up in tears	b) broke down in tears
3. He tried to __________ during the speech.	a) choke back tears, b) choke up tears, c) choke down tears	a) choke back tears
4. Sometimes, you just need to __________.	a) have a good cry, b) have a good weep, c) have a good bawl	a) have a good cry
5. __________ started to form in her eyes as she spoke.	a) Watery eyes, b) Tears well up, c) Shed tears	b) Tears well up
6. She __________ when she heard the tragic news.	a) cried her heart out, b) cried her eyes out, c) cried her soul out	a) cried her heart out
7. The sad movie made her __________.	a) weep ponds, b) weep oceans, c) weep buckets	c) weep buckets
8. He __________ at his daughter’s wedding.	a) lost tears, b) shed tears, c) dropped tears	b) shed tears
9. She had __________ after the emotional reunion.	a) water eyes, b) watery eyes, c) water’s eyes	b) watery eyes
10. They __________ when their favorite team lost.	a) cried the moon, b) cried the sun, c) cried a river	c) cried a river

Advanced Topics: Nuances and Context

At an advanced level, it’s important to understand the subtle nuances and cultural contexts of crying idioms. Some idioms may be more common in certain regions or among specific age groups.

For example, “cry into one’s beer” is a more traditional idiom that might be less common among younger speakers. Also, understanding the cultural implications of crying is important, as expressions of sadness can vary significantly across different cultures.

Advanced learners should also focus on using idioms creatively and adapting them to suit different situations. This involves understanding the underlying meaning of the idiom and applying it in a novel way while still maintaining its original intent.

This skill requires a deep understanding of both the language and the cultural context in which it is used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between an idiom and a literal expression?

A1: An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words. A literal expression, on the other hand, means exactly what it says.

For example, “cry your eyes out” is an idiom meaning to cry intensely, while “tears are coming out of my eyes” is a literal description of crying.

Q2: Can I change the wording of an idiom?

A2: Generally, no. Idioms have a fixed structure, and changing the wording can alter or negate their meaning.

It’s best to use idioms as they are commonly known.

Q3: Are crying idioms appropriate for formal writing?

A3: It depends on the specific idiom and the context of the writing. Some idioms, like “shed tears,” can be used in formal writing, while others, like “cry a river,” are more suitable for informal contexts.

Q4: How can I learn more crying idioms?

A4: The best way to learn idioms is through exposure to authentic English content, such as books, movies, TV shows, and conversations with native speakers. Pay attention to how idioms are used in context and try to incorporate them into your own speech and writing.

Q5: What should I do if I’m not sure about the meaning of an idiom?

A5: If you’re unsure about the meaning of an idiom, look it up in a dictionary or online resource. Many dictionaries provide definitions and examples of idioms.

Q6: Can idioms have more than one meaning?

A6: Yes, some idioms can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It’s important to understand the different possible interpretations and choose the one that is most appropriate for the situation.

Q7: How do I know when to use an idiom?

A7: Use idioms when you want to express an idea or emotion in a more vivid and concise way. However, be mindful of your audience and the context of the conversation.

If you’re unsure whether an idiom is appropriate, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use a more literal expression.

Q8: Are there any idioms about crying that are considered offensive?

A8: While most idioms about crying are not inherently offensive, some may be perceived as insensitive depending on the context and the person you’re speaking to. For example, using “turn on the waterworks” to suggest someone is faking their emotions could be considered offensive.

Conclusion

Mastering idioms for crying can significantly enhance your ability to express emotions and understand nuanced communication in English. By understanding the definitions, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with these idioms, you can communicate more effectively and expressively.

Remember to consider the context and audience when using idioms, and continue to expand your knowledge through exposure to authentic English content.

Idioms are a valuable tool for adding color and depth to your language skills. Keep practicing with the examples and exercises provided in this article, and don’t be afraid to experiment with using idioms in your own conversations and writing.

With consistent effort, you’ll become more confident and proficient in using idioms to express the complex emotions associated with crying and sadness.