cry wolf
Meaning
To raise a false alarm or make repeated untrue claims of danger, causing others to stop believing you—even when it’s real.
Origin
From Aesop’s fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” where a shepherd boy repeatedly gives false alarms; when a real wolf comes, no one believes him.
Notes
Often cautioning or critical. Implies repeated exaggeration/false alarms that damage credibility, so real warnings may be ignored. Used in everyday speech and workplace contexts.
Examples
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If you keep crying wolf about bugs, no one will take you seriously when the system actually crashes.
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The boy cried wolf so many times that the villagers ignored him when he really needed help.
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Don’t cry wolf about layoffs unless you’ve heard it from a reliable source.
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She’s worried that reporting every tiny issue will make her look like she’s crying wolf.
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We can’t afford to cry wolf during an emergency drill, or people will panic for no reason.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Typically used as a verb phrase: “cry wolf,” “cried wolf,” “crying wolf.” Often followed by about/over + noun (“cry wolf about layoffs”). Usually no article: not “cry a wolf.”
Synonyms
- raise a false alarm
- give a false alarm
- sound the alarm for nothing
- cry foul (sometimes)
Antonyms
- raise the alarm (legitimately)
- sound the alarm
- warn responsibly