cry buckets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cry buckets" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is crying a lot or expressing a great deal of emotion, often in a dramatic or exaggerated way. Example: "After watching the sad movie, I couldn't help but cry buckets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

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

If that fails, cry buckets.

BBC

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Audiences came and cried buckets.

The Guardian - Film

There's a book called "The Abandoned". I remember crying buckets over that one.

The Washington Post

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

The Guardian - Film

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

The Guardian - TV & Radio

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

Independent

"These past four days, I cried buckets of tears; I cried in that lady's office for a long time," Riggins told The Washington Post.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cry buckets" to add emphasis when describing someone experiencing strong emotions, particularly sadness or grief. It's best suited for informal or conversational contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cry buckets" in formal writing or professional contexts. It is an idiomatic expression and may sound out of place in more serious or academic settings. Consider more formal alternatives like "weep copiously" or "shed tears".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cry buckets" functions as a verbal phrase used to emphasize the intensity of crying or emotional distress. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes someone who is crying a lot or expressing a great deal of emotion, often in a dramatic or exaggerated way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "cry buckets" is a grammatically sound and easily understood phrase that means to cry a lot, often dramatically. Ludwig AI confirms that it is appropriate in informal settings but should be avoided in formal writing in favor of alternatives like "weep copiously" or "shed profuse tears". While not extremely common, it appears most often in news and media contexts. When aiming to express intense sadness or emotional release, "cry buckets" can be a vivid choice in casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weep buckets

More or less synonymous with "cry buckets", and interchangeable in many situations.

cry one's heart out

This phrase suggests deep sorrow and emotional release through crying.

bawl one's eyes out

This is a more emphatic and slightly less formal way of saying someone cried intensely.

sob uncontrollably

Focuses on the lack of control in the act of crying, suggesting intense emotion.

cry a river

An exaggeration to emphasize the amount of tears shed.

weep copiously

This phrase is a more formal and literary way to describe crying a lot.

shed copious tears

Similar to 'weep copiously', but uses the word 'shed' to emphasize the act of releasing tears.

dissolve into tears

Implies a gradual and complete surrender to crying, often from a state of emotional distress.

burst into tears

Describes a sudden and often unexpected onset of crying.

have a good cry

Suggests a deliberate and cathartic act of crying to relieve emotional tension.

FAQs

How can I use "cry buckets" in a sentence?

You can use "cry buckets" to describe someone crying a lot, for example: "After the movie ended, I "cried buckets"."

What's a more formal way to say "cry buckets"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "weep copiously" or "shed profuse tears" instead of "cry buckets".

Is "cry buckets" appropriate for professional communication?

No, "cry buckets" is generally too informal for professional communication. It's better to use more neutral language like "express sadness" or "show grief".

What's the difference between "cry buckets" and "cry one's heart out"?

Both phrases imply a great deal of crying, but "cry one's heart out" suggests a deeper emotional release, while "cry buckets" simply emphasizes the quantity of tears.