bawl one's eyes out
Weep very intensely
To bawl one's eyes out is to cry hard and long, weeping uncontrollably: She bawled her eyes out when her dog died.
The phrase emphasizes intensity—not quiet tears but loud, messy sobbing.
Despite the violent image, it's informal rather than crude.
- sobbingConvulsive crying aloud
- burst into tearsCry suddenly, uncontrollably
- hiccuppingSpasmodic diaphragm contractions
- waterworksMunicipal water supply system
- lossBeing without something
box of tissues · weeping · gasping · sniffling · grief · wailing · despair · quivering · heartbreak · broken heart · red-eyed · emotional catharsis · shoulder to cry on · breaking down · trembling · sorrow · heartache · ugly crying
bawl one's eyes outsniffle
Nasal inhalation when congested
whimper · tear up · keep a stiff upper lip · mist up · dry-eyed
bawl one's eyes outlaugh one's head off
Experience intense, prolonged amusement
die laughing · burst out laughing · crack up · split one's sides