Cry crocodile tears
Meaning
To express insincere or hypocritical sorrow, grief, or remorse.
Origin
Ancient naturalists and travelers, notably Pliny the Elder, spread the intriguing myth that crocodiles would weep profusely while devouring their prey. This wasn't genuine sadness, but a physiological response—the lacrimal glands releasing fluid, often stimulated by the powerful movement of their jaws. Observers misinterpreted this biological reflex as a profound display of guilt or sorrow. By the 16th century, this vivid image of a cold-blooded predator shedding seemingly heartfelt tears during a brutal act had permeated European folklore and language, cementing 'crocodile tears' as the perfect descriptor for any insincere display of grief or sympathy.
Examples
- When the politician apologized for the scandal, many citizens felt he was merely crying crocodile tears to save his career.
- She started to cry crocodile tears after breaking the antique vase, even though everyone knew she had always secretly disliked it.