crying towel

Idioms  

1. 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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Example Sentences

The crying towel for his grand departure was a corporate souvenir, a sign of the times.

From New York Times • Sep. 25, 2014

Before the game, Parseghian, who practically invented the crying towel, acted as though he could not possibly understand why his Fighting Irish were two-touchdown favorites.

From Time Magazine Archive

No, Chet; it isn't enough to beat you—if you just throw away that crying towel and start fighting.

From Null-ABC by Dongen, H. R. van