Definition
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
To try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.
Origins
Probably from the song Cry Me a River (1953).
In Context
- "It is rather shaming to be quite so wet over nothing in particular, but at least Fielding does it too. He cries gallons over slow-motion bits at the ends of films, especially Gladiator, and begins to worship Roman values, then Italian footballers kissing in slo-mo to the strains of Nessun Dorma. Sniffle, sniffle. And QPR being relegated in 1996. He can cry you a river over that one, and over a darling little clump of daffodils growing by the traffic island."
- "Port Authority Transit should cry me a river. Before raising fares it should cut an unnecessary expense."
See Also
- build a bridge and get over it
- Crimea river
- crocodile tear
- crocodile tears
- crying game