cry all the way to the bank: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘cry all the way to the bank’ mean?
The idiom "cry all the way to the bank" means to complain about a financial gain that one is still able to benefit from. It implies that the person may express regret or dissatisfaction about the money they have received, but they are still ultimately pleased with the outcome.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "laugh all the way to the bank" means to feel a sense of satisfaction or joy when you have made a lot of money or have been successful in financial matters.
The idiom "in the money" means to be in a financially successful or prosperous situation.
The idiom "in the hole" means to be in debt or in a difficult financial situation. It is often used to describe a person or a company that owes money and is struggling to repay it.
The idiom "hit it big" means to achieve great success or win a large amount of money, often unexpectedly or after a long period of hard work.
The idiom "hell to pay" means to face severe consequences or trouble for one's actions or decisions.
The idiom "have more money than God" means to be extremely rich or wealthy beyond imagination.
The idiom "have had it up to here" means being extremely frustrated or fed up with something. It signifies reaching a limit or threshold of tolerance.
The idiom "go to the wall" means to face defeat or failure, often in a financial or competitive context.
The idiom "go for broke" means to take a great risk or make a bold, all-out effort in pursuit of a goal, regardless of the potential consequences or failure.
Tears turned into gold
The idiom "cry all the way to the bank" is a well-known expression in the English language. It conveys a sense of irony or sarcasm when someone appears unhappy about a situation but is secretly pleased by the financial gain they have achieved. Similar to the idiom "laugh all the way to the bank," this phrase highlights the contrast between outward emotions and hidden motivations.
The origin of the idiom "cry all the way to the bank" is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the early 20th century. This expression is commonly used in American English, but it has also spread to other English-speaking countries.
The phrase itself combines two contrasting figures of speech. "Crying" represents sadness or distress, while "going to the bank" symbolizes wealth and prosperity. This combination creates a sense of irony and humor in the idiom. Similarly, the idiom "laugh all the way to the bank" emphasizes the contrast between joy and financial gain.
Another related idiom is "cry foul," which means to express objection or protest against something. While "cry all the way to the bank" focuses on the balance between emotions and financial success, "cry foul" centers on expressing dissatisfaction or disagreement.
Finally, the idiom "more cry than wool" can also be connected to "cry all the way to the bank." "More cry than wool" refers to someone who makes a lot of noise or fuss but has little substance or benefit to offer. This idiom highlights the contrast between appearances and reality, similar to how "cry all the way to the bank" challenges the notion of outward emotions and hidden motivations.
Overall, the idiom "cry all the way to the bank" serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. It suggests that financial success can be accompanied by hidden emotions or motivations. Whether used in conversations about business deals, financial investments, or personal achievements, this idiom allows individuals to convey skepticism or cynicism towards the motivations and intentions of others.
The idiom "cry all the way to the bank" has an ironic and sarcastic tone. It implies that someone may pretend to be unhappy or dissatisfied with a situation, while secretly enjoying the financial gain they have achieved. Although the exact origin of this idiom remains uncertain, it has become a popular expression in the English language, highlighting the complexity of human emotions and motivations when it comes to financial success.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *cry all the way to the bank* can be used in a sentence:
- After investing in a risky stock, she cried all the way to the bank when it unexpectedly became a huge success.
- He may not enjoy his job, but he cries all the way to the bank as his high salary compensates for the lack of job satisfaction.
- The actor's terrible performance in the movie made the audience cry all the way to the bank as they demanded refunds for their tickets.
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