1cry 
/ˈkraɪ/ verb
cries; cried; cry·ing /ˈkraɪ/ verb 1 : to produce tears from your eyes often while making loud sounds because of pain, sorrow, or other strong emotions [no obj] ▪ The baby is crying. Is she okay? ▪ a crying baby ▪ Some people cry more easily than others. ▪ He cried silently while the song played. ▪ She cried all the way home from school that day. ▪ He cried (for) the whole day. ▪ She couldn't imagine why anyone would cry over a stupid movie. ▪ She was crying with relief/frustration/anger. ▪ The first day of camp, a number of children cried for their parents. [=cried because they wanted their parents] [+ obj] ▪ They cried tears of joy. ◊If you cry yourself to sleep, you cry until you have fallen asleep. ◊If you cry your eyes out or cry your heart out, you cry a lot.
▪ I cried my eyes out when I found out they had left without saying goodbye. 2 : to shout or say something loudly [+ obj] ▪ “We've won!” they cried. ▪ “Help,” he cried, “Get a doctor! Quick!” ▪ I heard someone cry “Wait!” but the train pulled away anyway. [no obj] ▪ She cried [=called out] to the others to come and see what she'd found. — often + for ▪ I heard someone crying for help. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Various groups have been crying for [=calling for] his resignation. 3 [no obj] of a bird or animal : to make the loud sound that is usual for a particular type of bird or animal
▪ She'd never heard the sound of sea gulls crying by the shore.
▪ I cried my eyes out when I found out they had left without saying goodbye.
▪ She'd never heard the sound of sea gulls crying by the shore.
a shoulder to cry on — see 1shoulder
cry for [phrasal verb]
cry for (something) : to need or require (something) very much
▪ This problem is crying for a solution. ▪ The old house is crying for a new coat of paint.
▪ This problem is crying for a solution. ▪ The old house is crying for a new coat of paint.
cry foul
chiefly US : to complain that someone has done something that is not fair
▪ When Mika's parents gave her a new bicycle, her sisters cried foul.
▪ When Mika's parents gave her a new bicycle, her sisters cried foul.
cry off
[phrasal verb] Brit : to say that you will not do something you have promised to do
▪ He said he would help me move into my new apartment but then he cried off [=begged off] at the last minute.
▪ He said he would help me move into my new apartment but then he cried off [=begged off] at the last minute.
cry out [phrasal verb] 1 : to make a loud sound because of pain, fear, surprise, etc.
▪ She cried out in pain. 2 cry out or cry out (something) : to speak in a loud voice : to say (something) loudly or from a distance
▪ We could hear them on the shore crying out [=calling out] to us, so we waved. ▪ She cried out for help. ▪ “I'm stuck,” she cried out. ▪ She cried out that she was stuck. 3 cry out against (something) : to say publicly that (something) is wrong or unfair : to protest (something)
▪ People around the world are crying out against the government's civil rights abuses. 4 — used to say that something clearly needs or should have a particular thing, person, use, etc. — often + to be ▪ A chair like this cries out to be used [=should definitely be used], not kept in some museum. ▪ The meal cried out to be eaten with a nice white wine. [=it was obvious that the meal should be served with a white wine] — often + for ▪ The meal cried out for a nice white wine. ▪ The job cries out for someone who's not afraid to take chances.
▪ She cried out in pain.
▪ We could hear them on the shore crying out [=calling out] to us, so we waved. ▪ She cried out for help. ▪ “I'm stuck,” she cried out. ▪ She cried out that she was stuck.
▪ People around the world are crying out against the government's civil rights abuses.
cry over spilled milk (US) or chiefly Brit cry over spilt milk
informal : to be upset about something that has happened and that cannot be changed
▪ You made a mistake, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.
▪ You made a mistake, but there's no use crying over spilled milk.
cry wolf
: to make people think there is danger when there is really none
▪ News organizations have been warned not to cry wolf. If people hear too many warnings that turn out to be nothing, they won't listen to the important warnings when they come.
▪ News organizations have been warned not to cry wolf. If people hear too many warnings that turn out to be nothing, they won't listen to the important warnings when they come.
for crying out loud
informal — used to show anger, annoyance, etc. ▪ Why won't they let me in? It's my house, for crying out loud!
— crying noun [noncount]
▪ We heard (the sound of) crying in the next room. ▪ a crying fit/jag/spell
▪ We heard (the sound of) crying in the next room. ▪ a crying fit/jag/spell
