crying towel

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A figurative towel for wiping the tears of a self-pitying individual. For example, So you didn't make the first team? Get out the crying towel. This expression is always used sarcastically. [Slang; 1920s]

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Words nearby crying towel

cry down, cryesthesia, cry for, cry havoc, crying, crying towel, crymo-, crymodynia, crymophilic, crymophylactic, crymotherapy

How to use crying towel in a sentence

This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The “crying” incident is thought to have hurt Muskie in the primary--which he won handily, but with under 50 percent of the vote.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Using a heatproof slotted spoon, remove the shallots to a paper towel-lined plate.
Make Carla Hall’s Crispy Shallot Green Bean Casserole|Carla Hall|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Allow beans to cool completely then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
Make Carla Hall’s Crispy Shallot Green Bean Casserole|Carla Hall|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Teachers are told never to put an arm around a crying child.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The wretched young man persistently exercises his right of crying "Banco," and so practically going double or quits each time.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
They were standing over the cots in the nursery late at night, and I think that Mamma was crying softly.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
The atmosphere seemed drawn taut before him as though it must any instant split open upon a sound of crying.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
His duty it was to stand at the head of the scalding trough, watch in hand, to "time" the length of the scald, crying "Hog in!"
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
I noticed that you had set her crying again, Lucy, for about the tenth time to-day.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills