crying

For crying out loud! (informal)

something that you say when you are annoyed. For crying out loud! Can't you leave me alone even for a minute!

See also: loud

It's a crying shame!

something that you say when you think a situation is wrong. It's a crying shame that she only gets one month's maternity leave. (often + that)

See also: it's, shame

It's no good/use crying over spilt milk.

something that you say which means you should not get upset about something bad that has happened that you cannot change. Sometimes I regret not taking that job in London. Oh well, there's no point crying over spilt milk.

See also: good, it's, milk, over, use

a (lone) voice in the wilderness

if you are a voice in the wilderness, you are the only person expressing a particular opinion, although later other people understand that you were right. With her passionate pleas for peace, she was a lone voice in the wilderness.

See also: voice, wilderness

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for crying out loud

I am annoyed or surprised by this. No, I haven't bought her a present yet. Her birthday is a month away, for crying out loud.

Usage notes: used for emphasis

for Christ's sake

for goodness' sake

for God's sake

for Pete's sake

See also: loud

it's a crying shame

it is a great misfortune. It's a crying shame when someone has worked hard and then loses everything because of someone else's dishonesty.

See also: it's, shame

a (lone) voice in the wilderness

someone who expresses an idea or opinion that is not popular. For many years, she was a lone voice in the wilderness who wrote about the need for better urban planning.

See also: voice, wilderness