English idiom

crocodile tears

Register · Neutral CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

an outward show of sadness that is false or insincere

Word picture

False sorrow is pictured as a crocodile producing visible tears without feeling genuine grief.

Example

“His apology sounded like crocodile tears because he kept laughing about the damage.”

Dictionary details

Component words

crocodile

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

live a lie

to hide your true identity, beliefs, or feelings by living dishonestly

sour grapes

disparaging something desirable after failing to obtain it

blow off steam

to release pent-up energy or emotion through some activity

cry wolf

to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored

cut loose

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

drive someone up the wall

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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