reduce (one) to tears

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reduce (one) to tears

To cause one to cry. I know it's embarrassing, but sappy movies like that always reduce me to tears.
See also: reduce, tear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

reduce someone to tears

to cause a person to cry through insults, frustration, and belittling. He scolded her so much that she was reduced to tears by the end of the meeting.
See also: reduce, tear
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive ?
But 63% of men reckon their wives, girlfriends and even mothers can reduce them to tears, said the study by Rohto Dry Eye Relief.
Men make girls' tears flow most; EMOTIONS
But 63 percent of men reckon their wives, girlfriends and even mothers can reduce them to tears, said the study by Rohto Dry Eye Relief.
It's official: Men make women cry the most
Sir Mark could write a great book, something that would inform people and at the same time reduce them to tears of laughter.
Sir Mark's tales leave a definite desire for more
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