What is the origin of the idiom "cry me a river" and when to use it?

The idiom "cry me a river" is used to express skepticism or a lack of sympathy when someone is complaining or being overly emotional about their problems. It originated from the title and lyrics of a popular song by Arthur Hamilton, which was famously performed by Julie London. The song uses the imagery of crying a river as a metaphor for the exaggerated emotional distress of a breakup. The phrase has since become a common way to dismiss someone's complaints or to suggest that their emotional response is excessive.

What is the origin of the idiom "cry someone a river" and when to use it?

The idiom "cry someone a river" does not have a specific documented origin, it likely emerged organically as a way to describe this behavior pattern in interpersonal relationships.The expression uses the imagery of crying as a means of creating an emotional impact on someone else, much like the imagery of someone crying so much that they could form a river of tears. This expression is used to convey a specific type of emotional manipulation, where tears are employed as a tool to influence the feelings or actions of others.