Cry one's eyes out - 英语词汇详解

Meaning 1：cry heavily (Cry one's eyes out)

Cry one's eyes out 🔊

/kraɪ wʌnz aɪz aʊt/

phr.v.

to cry very hard and for a long time because you are extremely sad.

cry heavily 🔊

➕

/kraɪ ˈhɛvɪli/

phr.v.

To cry very hard and for a long time due to extreme sadness.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'cry' + 'one's eyes out' (as if eyes fall out from crying).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine tears flowing so hard that your eyes seem to fall out of your head.

📖 Example

After watching that sad movie about the lost dog, she cried her eyes out for hours. 🔊 After watching that sad movie about the lost dog, she cried for hours.

🔗 Collocations

cry one's eyes out over something – to cry for a long time because of something

cry one's eyes out because of – to weep excessively due to a specific reason

cry one's eyes out for hours – to sob intensely over an extended period

🔄 Synonyms

weep bitterly (v.) – to cry with great sadness and intensity

sob uncontrollably (v.) – to cry in a convulsive manner without being able to stop

wail loudly (v.) – to cry out with a long, high-pitched sound of grief

🚫 Antonyms

laugh heartily (v.) – to laugh with genuine enjoyment and vigor

smile (v.) – to form a facial expression of pleasure or amusement

📖 Cultural Story

This idiom dates back to at least the 18th century, used in literature to describe profound grief. It remains common in everyday speech and media.