for crying out loud

Idioms  

1. An exclamation of anger or exasperation, as in For crying out loud, can't you do anything right? This term is a euphemism for “for Christ's sake.” [Colloquial; early 1900s]

---

Example Sentences

I’m 44 years old, for crying out loud.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

I’m 45 years old, for crying out loud, shouldn’t I be more … stable and responsible?

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2024

And for crying out loud, bunch your commercials together at the start or finish of a car chase, the way public television thanks its sponsors.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2023

“If you’re going to parachute in, for crying out loud, parachute in and date me,” Pierce said of McBath.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2022

He’s being paired with the princess of Norway on our coffee table’s magazine, for crying out loud.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu