English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Tear-jerking
Meaning
"Tear-jerking" is an idiom that refers to a film, book, or story that elicits strong emotions such as sadness, nostalgia, or sentimentalism in the viewer or reader. The idiom often implies that the experience is not necessarily positive but rather one that brings about tears of emotion.
Usage
- "I recently watched a tear-jerking documentary about the effects of climate change on our planet."
- "She started to cry as she listened to the tear-jerking rendition of her favorite song at the concert."
- "The book's tear-jerking ending left me feeling both sad and hopeful."
- "He was so moved by the tear-jerking scene in the movie that he broke into tears."
- "After hearing his heartfelt speech, the entire audience was touched to tears." The usage of "tear-jerking" can vary depending on the context. It is often used as an adjective to describe a work of art that elicits strong emotions in its viewer or reader. However, it can also be used as a verb to refer to someone who intentionally tries to make others feel sad or sentimental.
Roots and History
The term "tear-jerking" was first used in English in the 19th century and is believed to have originated from the phrase "to jerk tears." This phrase was used to refer to someone who tried to elicit sympathy by pretending to be sad or distressed. Over time, the meaning of "tear-jerking" has evolved to include a wider range of emotions beyond just sadness. It now encompasses nostalgia, sentimentality, and other strong emotions that are elicited by art or storytelling. The idiom has also become more commonly used in popular culture, particularly in the context of film and literature reviews.
Synonyms in English
- Heartwarming
- Moving
- Emotional
- Sentimental
- Sappy
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: Movedo/a (moved or touched to the point of tears)
- French: Chaud (hot or emotional)
- German: Ergreifen (to be struck by or moved to)
- Italian: Sconvolgente (emotional or exciting)
- Dutch: Verheugd (happy or joyful).