Cry Wolf In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "Cry Wolf", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Caroline Tran

2020-07-31 06:07

Meaning of Cry Wolf

Synonyms:

pile it on , stretch the truth , make a drama out of a crisis

Cry Wolf American disapproving offensive verb informal

When someone cries wolf, they exaggerate the fact and claim that they are in trouble even when they are not; which leads to not getting enough trust when they are really in danger

To lie or complain about something when nothing is wrong; to ask for help from others or attract their attention when it is not needed

Stop saying that, you're just crying wolf!

Is it true that you got fired or Adam just made that up and cried wolf?

Don't care about her, she's only crying wolf to get your attention.

Other phrases about:

Children and Fools Tell the Truth

White lie

Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth

Used to imply that someone is acting as if he or she is demure, innocent, sincere or reserved but they may be not

blow your own trumpet

Show off or brag about yourself

couldn't lie straight in bed

To be dishonest or deceptive and no one can believe

Lay it on with a trowel

This idiom is used to flatter, exaggerate and overstate praise, excuses, or blame, ect.

Grammar and Usage of Cry Wolf

Verb Forms

Crying Wolf
to cry wolf
cried wolf

Cry is a verb so we need to conjugate tense for it.

Origin of Cry Wolf

(Image Source: Internet)

The expression cry wolf derives from one of Aesop’s Fables, The Boy Who Cried Wolf. In this story, a young shepherd amuses himself by asking for help and saying a wolf is threatening his flock when that is not really happening. Because he cries wolf so often, therefore when a wolf actually menaces the flock, no one trusts him and comes to help.