cry wolf

cry wolf

Fig. to cry or complain about something when nothing is really wrong. (From the story wherein a child sounds the alarm frequently about a wolf when there is no wolf, only to be ignored when there actually is a wolf.) Pay no attention. She's just crying wolf again. Don't cry wolf too often. No one will come.

See also: cry, wolf

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cry wolf

to ask for help when you do not need it, with the result that no one believes you when help is necessary She had repeatedly rung the police for trivial reasons and perhaps she had cried wolf too often.

See cry heart out, ask for the moon

See also: cry, wolf

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cry wolf

to ask for help when you do not need it Growers who cry wolf today about the lack of water will probably be selling their vegetables in a few months. He said the mayor's grim predictions about what would happen if the bill isn't passed amounted to crying wolf.

Etymology: from the children's story “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” in which a boy who was watching some sheep called for help when there was no wolf (wild animal) attacking them and then got no help when a wolf did attack the sheep because no one believed him

See also: cry, wolf