Last Updated：2025/12/04

(dated, informal, figuratively) To start crying, especially in a way that the speaker finds irritating.

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turn on the waterworks

Source Word

turn on the waterworks

Verb

dated figuratively informal

(dated, informal, figuratively) To start crying, especially in a way that the speaker finds irritating.

Japanese Meaning

（口語で、軽蔑的な意味合いを含む表現で）突然泣き始める、泣き出すこと / （あざとく、または見下した感じで）わざと涙を見せる

昇進を逃したとき、彼は会議中に泣き出して同僚たちを苛立たせた。

Sense（1）

(dated, informal, figuratively) To start crying, especially in a way that the speaker finds irritating.

turns on the waterworks

（ present singular third-person ）

turning on the waterworks

（ participle present ）

turned on the waterworks

（ participle past ）

turned on the waterworks

（ past ）