Definition and Origin
To Cry Wolf: To give a false alarm; to call for help when it is not needed, leading to doubt or disbelief when assistance is genuinely required.
The phrase originates from the classic fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” This tale describes a shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his sheep. When a real wolf arrives, his previous false alarms cause the villagers to ignore his cries, bringing disaster upon him and his flock. This illustration teaches a valuable lesson about the consequences of deceit.
Related Terms and Similar Phrases:
- Red Herring: Something irrelevant that distracts from the main issue (Synonyms: decoy, distraction).
- False Alarm: A warning or notification about a danger that turns out to be imaginary or false (Synonym: hoax).
- Alarmist: Someone prone to raising false alarms, causing unnecessary panic.
Humor-Filled Quote:
“Crying wolf is like hitting the snooze button too many times—eventually, you miss the wake-up call!”
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “Once bitten, twice shy.”: After being deceived, one is cautious in the future.
- “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”: A reminder to learn from past mistakes to not be deceived again.
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies References:
- Book: “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”—Various children’s editions of this Aesop’s fable exist, each offering moral lessons.
- Movie: The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (2010)—A fun paranormal twist perfect for Halloween movie nights.
- Song: “She Wolf” by Shakira—For those howling on the dance floor with a different kind of canine excitement.
- Poetry: “The Wolf and the Shepherd” by Jean de La Fontaine—A poetic retelling of deceit and consequence.
### Which of these phrases means the same as "to cry wolf"?
- [x] To give a false alarm
- [ ] To chase rainbows
- [ ] To be all bark and no bite
- [ ] To open Pandora's box
> **Explanation:** "To cry wolf" means to give a false alarm. The other choices involve different metaphors altogether.
### What is the moral lesson of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?
- [x] Lying leads to loss of trust
- [ ] Always be vigilant
- [ ] Honesty is the best policy
- [ ] The early bird catches the worm
> **Explanation:** The fable teaches that deceit results in lost credibility, which can bring serious consequences.
### True or False: "False Alarm" is synonymous with "cry wolf"
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, both expressions deal with causing unnecessary panic by giving warnings of threats that aren't real.
