turn on the waterworks

Idioms  

1. Start to weep, as in Whenever Dad refuses a request of hers she turns on the waterworks. This term implies that one begins to weep deliberately, as though switching on a system of pipes connected to reservoirs.

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Example Sentences

Instead it's the many reminders that the future is still something that we're allowed to have that turn on the waterworks, along with the gentle admonishments that it our duty to fully live regardless of whatever pandemic we're facing, be it HIV or COVID.

From Salon

“Turn on the waterworks to see if that’ll help. But sorry, you’re not going to manipulate me that way.”

From Literature

Even so, I’m usually decent enough to wait until Act II to turn on the waterworks.

From New York Times

She can drink with the outlaws, brood with the writers and turn on the waterworks with the best balladeers.

From Los Angeles Times

The Italian director Nanni Moretti knows how to turn on the waterworks, but he also knows about that burlesque called life.

From New York Times