Is cry crocodile tears an idiom?

Is cry crocodile tears an idiom?

To 'cry crocodile tears' is an idiom with a very literal meaning. It is believed that when a crocodile eats its prey, its tear ducts produce tears for the purpose of lubricating its eyes (like human tears). ... Another way to look at it is the idea of 'false tears', when someone is only pretending to be crying.

What kind of phrase is crocodile tears?

Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) is a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief.

What does crocodile tears mean in a sentence?

Meaning: n. a hypocritical display of sorrow; false or insincere weeping. 1, They weep crocodile tears for the poor and disadvantaged but are basically happy with things as they are. 2, The sight of George shedding crocodile tears made me sick. ... 11, She shed crocodile tears over his death.

Why do we say crocodile tears?

Crocodiles do actually cry. When they spend enough time out of the water, their eyes dry out so they weep to keep them lubricated. The belief started that the crocodiles only shed these tears when attacking and eating their victims, either as a trap to lure in their prey or out of emotion for their violent act.

What is the meaning of eleventh hour?

: the latest possible time before it is too late still making changes at the eleventh hour.

What is the idiom of eleventh hour?

the last possible moment for doing something: to change plans at the eleventh hour.

What is meaning of shedding crocodile tears?

to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone without really caring about them. He shed a lot of crocodile tears. He described the wrecking of the coal industry as `a dreadful thing to have to do'.

What is the meaning of idiom eleventh hour?

: the latest possible time before it is too late still making changes at the eleventh hour.

What is 11th hour?

: the latest possible time before it is too late still making changes at the eleventh hour.

What's it mean to shed crocodile tears?

to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone without really caring about them. He shed a lot of crocodile tears. He described the wrecking of the coal industry as `a dreadful thing to have to do'. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary.

What does the idiom 'to shed crocodile tears' mean?

• shed crocodile tears. If someone sheds crocodile tears, they pretend to sympathize with or feel sadness about someone or something that they do not really care about. Our own government sheds crocodile tears over the loss of life whilst doing absolutely nothing to stop it.

Do crocodiles really shed tears?

• Crocodiles Really Do Shed Tears When They Eat. Today I found out crocodiles really do shed tears when they eat. It has been known for centuries that crocodiles weep while eating. One of the earliest references to this comes from the 14th century bestseller The Voyage and Travel of Sir John Madeville, where the author writes.

How is the term 'crocodile tears' used in a sentence?

• There are crocodile tears all around and then . ...
• Mr . ...
• But some people argue that the industry is simply crying crocodile tears.
• these are all crocodile tears we're talking about.
• and causing havoc.

What is the origin of the proverb 'Crocodile's Tears'?

• Modern English speakers use the phrase "crocodile tears" to describe a display of superficial or false sorrow, but the saying actually derives from a medieval belief that crocodiles shed tears of sadness while they killed and consumed their prey.