turn on the waterworks

Verb

Meaning

turn on the waterworks (third-person singular simple present turns on the waterworks, present participle turning on the waterworks, simple past and past participle turned on the waterworks)

(dated, informal, figuratively) To start crying, especially in a way that the speaker finds irritating.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Synonyms

lose it break down lose control burst into tears shed tears dissolve in tears burst out crying be overcome with emotion begin to cry break into tears break down and cry have a mental breakdown have a mental collapse have an emotional breakdown start bawling
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Antonyms

laugh chuckle giggle cackle guffaw titter
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Close letter words and terms

turn on red turn on steam turn on the heat turn on waterworks turn on, tune in, drop out turn one off