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to cry wolf
What is the origin of the idiom "cry wolf" and when to use it?
The idiom "cry wolf" originates from one of Aesop's fables, specifically "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." In this fable, a young shepherd repeatedly raises a false alarm about a wolf attacking the flock, causing nearby villagers to rush to his aid. However, when a real wolf finally appears and the boy cries for help, the villagers no longer believe him, assuming it to be another false alarm. This expression has since come to mean the act of giving false alarms or exaggerating dangers or problems to the point where genuine issues are met with skepticism or disbelief.
Example
The company's repeated warnings about potential layoffs without following through caused employees to become desensitized, viewing each announcement as crying wolf.
After constantly exaggerating about her health issues, her family began to think she was crying wolf and stopped taking her complaints seriously.
The politician's history of making unfounded claims caused many people to view his latest statements with skepticism, accusing him of crying wolf.
The student had a habit of frequently using the excuse of a lost homework assignment, thus crying wolf, so when it actually happened, the teacher was doubtful.
The tabloid's reputation for sensationalizing stories led many readers to dismiss their latest headline as just another instance of crying wolf.
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