crying buckets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crying 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 sadness or emotion. Example: "After hearing the news of her friend's departure, she was crying buckets in the corner of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"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

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

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

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

Huffington Post

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

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crying buckets" to vividly describe situations of intense sadness or emotional release. It's particularly effective in informal contexts to convey a strong emotional reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "crying buckets" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral or descriptive phrases like "weeping profusely" or "experiencing intense grief" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crying buckets" functions primarily as a verb phrase, vividly depicting the act of crying intensely. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is typically used to describe someone who is crying a lot, expressing significant sadness or emotion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crying buckets" is a verb phrase used to vividly portray someone crying intensely. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for describing strong emotional reactions. While primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, its informal register makes it less appropriate for formal writing. For professional settings, consider alternatives such as "weeping profusely" or "shedding copious tears". Remember to reserve "crying buckets" for situations where you want to express a strong, almost exaggerated sense of sadness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weeping profusely

Emphasizes the abundant flow of tears, focusing on the physical act of crying.

sobbing uncontrollably

Highlights the lack of control over the act of crying, suggesting intense emotion.

bawling one's eyes out

Suggests a loud, unrestrained type of crying, often associated with extreme distress.

shedding copious tears

Focuses on the large quantity of tears being produced, indicating great sadness.

inconsolable grief

Emphasizes the depth of sorrow and the inability to be comforted.

flooding with tears

Uses metaphorical language to convey an overwhelming amount of tears.

drowning in sorrow

Implies being overwhelmed by sadness, often to the point of feeling helpless.

breaking down in tears

Highlights the sudden onset of crying, often after holding back emotions.

pouring tears

Indicates a continuous and heavy flow of tears, similar to pouring a liquid.

crying a river

A hyperbole to describe excessive tears

FAQs

What does "crying buckets" mean?

The expression "crying buckets" means to cry a lot, usually due to sadness or strong emotion. It's a vivid way to describe someone who is weeping intensely.

What can I say instead of "crying buckets"?

You can use alternatives like "weeping profusely", "sobbing uncontrollably", or "shedding copious tears", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "crying buckets" an appropriate phrase to use in formal writing?

No, "crying buckets" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral and descriptive phrases, such as "weeping profusely" or "experiencing intense grief".

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

You can use "crying buckets" to describe someone experiencing intense sadness. For example: "After the movie ended, she was "crying buckets" because the ending was so tragic."