cried buckets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cried buckets" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is crying a lot or very intensely. An example would be: "After the breakup, she cried buckets for days." Alternative expressions include "shed tears" and "wept profusely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"She might have cried buckets of tears, but she wouldn't think of telling you about it.

The Guardian - Film

But then, I saw Sleeping Beauty in this theatre when I was eight, and cried buckets, so maybe I'm biased.

Independent

I mean, I cried buckets when they did my first, but by the second I was fine.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Retropian most enjoys the 1966 film version, starring Geraldine Page (above) and narrated by Capote himself: "It is simply a must watch, but be prepared to cry buckets".

The Guardian

A dog will let you cry buckets all over their lovely warm fur, while possibly licking you at the same time, for extra comfort.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've seen it a couple more times in the theatre since, and never fail to cry buckets at the death scenes.

The Guardian

As the family snapshots came down off the wall at the Rafters and highlights of previous episodes were played, fans tweeted about crying buckets for their favourite show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A Leo's family is her pride and her life, so expect your Leo girlfriend to cry buckets during family weddings and reunions and gaze at family photos with longing.

WikiHow

If that fails, cry buckets.

BBC

Then you'll cry a bucket's worth of tears at the uplifting ending.

Huffington Post

Even Romeo's anguish at finding Juliet "dead" was overacted and overlong, which kept me from crying my usual buckets of tears.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for informal or creative contexts; in formal academic or technical reports, opt for literal descriptions like "wept profusely" or "cried extensively".

Common error

Do not use this phrase if you are describing a physical container of tears or a scientific measurement. It is purely idiomatic and intended to signify a large quantity metaphorically. Using it in a literal sense can lead to confusion or unintended humor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cried buckets" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where the noun "buckets" serves as a hyperbolic adverbial modifier. In the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase typically follows a subject to describe an emotional reaction. Ludwig AI confirms that the structure is common in English for expressing high intensity through a metaphor of volume.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Social Media

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

To summarize, "cried buckets" is a vivid English idiom used to describe an outpouring of intense emotion. Data from Ludwig shows that while the phrase is classified as Rare in terms of absolute frequency, it is a staple of News & Media outlets like The Guardian and The New Yorker when they aim for emotional resonance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and best used when the writer wants to convey a sense of hyperbolic sadness or empathy. While it shares meaning with more literal terms like "wept profusely", its idiomatic nature makes it more suitable for informal or narrative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wept profusely

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe heavy crying.

was in floods of tears

A British idiom that mirrors the water-based imagery of buckets.

cried a river

An equivalent hyperbolic idiom often used in casual contexts.

bawled her eyes out

A common informal idiom for loud and intense crying.

sobbed uncontrollably

Adds a descriptive adverb that emphasizes the lack of restraint.

cried a great deal

A literal, descriptive alternative suitable for any context.

shed many tears

A more literal and slightly more formal way to describe the act.

dissolved into tears

A more literary and evocative way to describe an emotional breakdown.

burst into tears

Focuses on the sudden onset of crying rather than the volume alone.

broke down

Focuses on the emotional collapse that leads to crying.

FAQs

How to use "cried buckets" in a sentence?

You can use "cried buckets" as a verb phrase to describe intense crying, for example: "When I watched the finale of that show, I "cried buckets" because it was so moving."

What can I say instead of "cried buckets"?

You can use alternatives like "wept profusely", "cried a river", or "sobbed uncontrollably" depending on the tone you want to set.

Is "cried buckets" considered formal English?

No, it is an informal idiom. In formal writing, you should use "wept bitterly" or simply "cried extensively" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the difference between "cried buckets" and "shed tears"?

The main difference is the intensity; "cried buckets" is hyperbolic and informal, whereas "shed tears" is a more neutral and literal way to describe crying.