| 释义 |
shed crocodile tears shed crocodile tearsTo display false, insincere, or hypocritical sadness or remorse. Derived from an ancient notion that a crocodile will weep to lure in its victims, or that it weeps as it eats them. Jessica shed crocodile tears over the expulsion of her rival, Jacob.See also: crocodile, shed, tearshed crocodile tears and cry crocodile tearsFig. to shed false tears; to pretend that one is weeping. The child wasn't really hurt, but she shed crocodile tears anyway. He thought he could get his way if he cried crocodile tears.See also: crocodile, shed, tearshed crocodile tears If someone sheds crocodile tears, they pretend to sympathize with or feel sadness about someone or something that they do not really care about. Our own government sheds crocodile tears over the loss of life whilst doing absolutely nothing to stop it. Note: Verbs such as weep and cry are sometimes used instead of shed. MPs who weep crocodile tears over the plight of those who earn £10,000 a year insist that they cannot manage on ten times that amount. While her family and friends weep, the politicians cry crocodile tears. Note: The phrase crocodile tears is used in other expressions with this meaning. She regards Washington's expressions of concern now as no more than crocodile tears. Note: There was an ancient belief that crocodiles sighed and groaned to attract their prey, and wept while they were eating it. See also: crocodile, shed, tear |