turn on the waterworks
idiom
informal
: to start crying especially in order to get sympathy from someone
kids who turn on the waterworks when they want attention
Examples of turn on the waterworks in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When you are emotionally aroused, the brain can send signals to your tear ducts to turn on the waterworks.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022
So dogs turn on the waterworks and their owners roll over.
—Karen Hopkin, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022
So dogs turn on the waterworks and their owners roll over.
—Karen Hopkin, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near turn on the waterworks
Cite this Entry
“Turn on the waterworks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20on%20the%20waterworks. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share