shoulder to cry on
Sympathetic listener nearby
A shoulder to cry on is a person who offers emotional support during difficult times—someone willing to listen sympathetically to your troubles.
The image is of literally leaning on someone's shoulder while weeping: After the breakup, she needed a shoulder to cry on.
The phrase emphasizes presence and empathy rather than advice or solutions.
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
- consolationComfort during distress
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- companionshipState of having company
- onTouching from above
comfort · confidant · close friend · lending an ear · listening · good listener · solace · compassion · cry · friendship · heart-to-heart · understanding · patience · validation · encouragement · reassurance · bond · warmth
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- encouragementencourage, encouraging, praises, hang in there, supports
- emotional supportempathy, sympathy, compassion, comfort, support
- helpingaid, assist, give a hand, help, helping hand
- caregivingcaregiver, take care, nurture, look after, compassionate care
- condolencesmy condolences, heartfelt condolences, deepest sympathy, sorry for your loss, with sympathy
shoulder to cry oncold shoulder
Intentional dismissive treatment
rejection · emotional neglect · deaf ear · indifference · abandonment
shoulder to cry onproblem-solver
One who resolves difficulties
fixer · pull yourself together · snap out of it · tough love · advice-giver
shoulder to cry ontormentor
One who causes anguish
bully · abuser · antagonist · enemy · persecutor