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turn on the waterworks

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turn on the waterworks

Fig. to begin to cry. Every time Billy got homesick, he turned on the waterworks. Sally hurt her knee and turned on the waterworks for about twenty minutes.

See also: on, turn

turn on the waterworks

  (humorous)

to start crying in order to get what you want He always turns on the waterworks if he doesn't get exactly what he wants.

See also: on, turn

turn on the waterworks

Start to weep, as in Whenever Dad refuses a request of hers she turns on the waterworks. This term implies that one begins to weep deliberately, as though switching on a system of pipes connected to reservoirs.

See also: on, turn

turn on the waterworks

in. to begin to cry. His lower lip was quivering, and I knew he was going to turn on the waterworks.

See also: on, turn