sob storynoun [ C ]
uk/ˈsɒb ˌstɔː.ri/us/ˈsɑːb ˌstɔːr.i/informal disapprovinga story or piece of information that someone tells you or writes about himself or herself that is intended to make you feel sympathy for that person:
She came out with some sob story about not having enough money to go and see her father who was ill.