Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cry one's eyes out,' a hyperbolic expression denoting excessive weeping or mourning.
To “cry one’s eyes out” is a hyperbolic expression signifying the act of weeping or mourning excessively. The phrase is often employed to emphasize the intensity of one’s emotional distress or sorrow.
The origins of the phrase “cry one’s eyes out” can be traced back to the early eighteenth century. It is first documented in Colley Cibber’s 1705 play, The Careless Husband, where a character exclaims, “I could cry my eyes out.” The phrase is also found in Jonathan Swift’s Polite Conversation (1738). The hyperbolic nature of the expression, suggesting that crying could cause one’s eyes to fall out, underscores the dramatic emphasis placed on the act of weeping.
In the nineteenth century, the phrase evolved into “crying one’s heart out,” particularly in popular romantic literature, as exemplified by Margaret Oliphant’s Joyce (1888). This variation retains the hyperbolic essence while shifting the focus from the physical to the emotional heart.
The phrase “cry one’s eyes out” functions as an exaggerated metaphor for intense emotional release through tears. It suggests a level of sorrow or grief so profound that it transcends ordinary expressions of sadness. The hyperbole serves to convey a sense of overwhelming emotion, often associated with personal loss or heartbreak.
In contemporary culture, “cry one’s eyes out” is frequently used in both literary and colloquial contexts to describe situations of deep emotional turmoil. It appears in various forms of media, from novels to films, often to illustrate a character’s vulnerability or to evoke empathy from the audience.
In professional contexts, the phrase may be used metaphorically to describe a situation of significant disappointment or setback, albeit with a degree of informality. In literary contexts, it often serves to highlight a character’s emotional depth or to create dramatic tension.
The phrase “cry one’s eyes out” remains relevant in modern discourse due to its vivid imagery and emotional resonance. Its durability is rated at ★★★★☆, indicating a strong likelihood of continued usage, particularly in literary and colloquial expressions of intense emotion.
“I could cry my eyes out.” - Colley Cibber, The Careless Husband (1705)
“I wish I could cry my eyes out, and then I should be easy.” - Jonathan Swift, Polite Conversation (1738)