PhrasesHub

Crying Wolf

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • lack of credibility
        Describe someone who has a history of lying or exaggerating, making it difficult for others to believe them

    Examples of Crying Wolf

    • John kept crying wolf about a burglary at his house, but the police found out that he was just paranoid and there was no real threat.

      This example is using the idiom "crying wolf" to describe a situation where someone repeatedly makes false accusations or exaggerated claims that end up being unfounded. In this case, John's repeated claims about a burglary turned out to be unfounded, making him resemble the boy from the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," who falsely cried out that a wolf was attacking his sheep and ended up being ignored when there really was a wolf.

    • Sarah's constant complaints about not being promoted at work started to sound like she was crying wolf, as her boss grew tired of her accusations of favoritism and lack of opportunities.

      This example is extending the use of the idiom "crying wolf" to describe a scenario where someone's persistent complaints, such as Sarah's in this case, could lead others to believe that their claims are exaggerated or false, much like the boy in the fable who cried wolf and ended up being ignored when there was a real threat.

    • After persistent rumors of drug use and erratic behavior, some of LeBron James' teammates began to wonder if he was crying wolf when he claimed that he was just dealing with personal issues.

      This example is applying the idiom "crying wolf" to a scenario in which a person's repeated and dramatic claims about personal issues or problems could lead others to doubt their sincerity, as it could be perceived as an exaggeration or false accusation, much like the boy in the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."

    • In the midst of a heated political debate, Senator Smith accused his opponent of crying wolf when he discussed the negative impact of a proposed budget cut.

      This example is utilizing the idiom "crying wolf" to describe a situation in which a person makes exaggerated or false claims in the midst of a heated debate, making them resemble the boy in the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" who repeated false claims that ended up being disregarded when there was a real threat.

    • The school principal threatened to call the police on the misbehaving students every time they created a disturbance in class. However, the students no longer took her warnings seriously, as they knew from experience that she would not follow through with her threat. This is an example of crying wolf, as the principal's frequent use of an empty threat had diminished its impact and caused the students to disregard her warnings.

      The idiom "crying wolf" refers to a situation where a person makes frequent and exaggerated claims of danger or harm that are not justified or true. This can lead others to become skeptical of the person's warnings and ultimately dismiss them as false alarms. The origins of the idiom are attributed to the Aesop's fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," in which a shepherd boy repeatedly cried wolf in order to escape his mundane duties, but was ultimately punished when a real wolf attacked the sheep and no one came to his aid.

    • The CEO of the company announced a major restructuring plan, causing fear and panic among the employees. However, the employees had already heard similar promises from the CEO in the past, that never actually materialized. Thus, they began to doubt the sincerity and credibility of the CEO's latest announcement, and some even called it a case of crying wolf.

      The idiom "crying wolf" can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where people make false or exaggerated claims in order to deceive or manipulate others. This can be seen in political campaigns, where candidates make grandiose promises that they cannot keep in order to win votes, or in sales pitches, where products are overhyped in order to generate excitement and sales.

    • The detective inspector warned the witnesses that any false statements or lies could result in perjury charges, but the witnesses dismissed his warning as a bluff, given the detective inspector's history of making similar threats that came to nothing. This is an example of crying wolf, as the witnesses disregarded the inspector's warning due to a lack of trust in his credibility.

      The idiom "crying wolf" can also be used to describe situations where people repeatedly make false or exaggerated claims, which leads to a loss of credibility and trust. This can be seen in many professions, where people make claims that are not based on truth or evidence in order to gain an advantage or further their own interests. This can ultimately result in a loss of trust and respect among others, and can even lead to legal or ethical consequences in certain professions.

    • John yelled "Wolf!" in the middle of the night, but it was only a stray dog. This is an example of crying wolf because John falsely claimed that there was a dangerous animal in the area when there wasn't, leading others to doubt his future warnings.

      The phrase "crying wolf" refers to the ancient fable of Little Red Riding Hood's wolf, where the townspeople didn't believe the boy's wolf warning, leading to them not preparing for the real threat. Now, crying wolf is used to describe someone who repeatedly raises false alarms or makes exaggerated claims that are later proven to be untrue.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "crying wolf" can be used to discourage someone from a certain action by cautioning them about the lack of positive outcome. It can also be used to describe someone who has a history of lying or exaggerating, making it difficult for others to believe them.

    Origin of "Crying Wolf"

    The idiom "crying wolf" originates from the Aesop's Fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf". In the fable, a shepherd boy repeatedly tricks nearby villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock. When a wolf actually does appear and the boy cries out for help, the villagers do not believe him and the wolf ends up attacking the flock. This story is used to teach the moral lesson that if you repeatedly lie or exaggerate, people will not believe you when you are telling the truth. The idiom "crying wolf" is derived from this fable and is used to caution against the lack of credibility that comes from repeatedly lying or exaggerating.