a crying shame

Something that is problematic and inopportune. It's a crying shame that the car just died—I planned to give it to you some day.

crying shame

Fig. a very unfortunate situation; a real shame. It's a crying shame that people cannot afford adequate housing. That your father could not attend graduation was a crying shame.

crying shame, a

An unfortunate situation, as in It's a crying shame that Bob can't find a job. This term may well come from the now obsolete to cry shame upon, meaning "express vigorous disapproval or censure," current from about 1600 to the mid-1800s.

See also: crying

References in periodicals archive ?

A Crying Shame NATURE has blessed mankind with the ability to cry Most comprehend as others cannot understand why Tears can be a sign of stress or pain Or perhaps some unspeakable shame Our emotions at times we struggle to control Friends' and family we may need to console Love or hate we should perhaps ration As both can stir us to great passion High emotions or an all consuming hate Are feelings we should try and regulate?

POEM OF THE DAY

Dugher said: "It is a crying shame that in this day and age that Tala may be denied the chance to reach her potential and fulfil her dreams because her Barnsley family are not super-rich.

Dancer's dream is no fairytale

We won our first three games and are still unbeaten, but we are getting gates of 180, and that is a crying shame," said Bartlam.

Motor Racing: Motors plea to fans

Leonard, 32, said: "The Lions are part of history and it would be a crying shame if anything was allowed to affect them.

RUGBY: Leonard: Players won't let bosses kill off the Lions; UPDATE

Or Toffan, co-owner Trudy McCaffery and trainer Paco Gonzalez are innocent and it's a crying shame their biggest victory is tarnished.

SUSPICION TARNISHES GRAND DAY

Doug Rowlinson, 60, West End: I really liked the atmosphere of Balmbras and it would be a crying shame if its name were to change

Your Say: What do you think of plans to change the name of Balmbras, the famous pub immortalised in The Blaydon Races?