- An exclamation expressing exasperation, annoyance, impatience, or frustration.
- It's a minced oath, used to avoid stronger or blasphemous language.
Explanation
Origin
- A euphemism for stronger exclamations like For Christ's sake or For God's sake.
- Emerged in the early 20th century (around the 1920s).
- The phrase crying out loud adds emphasis, perhaps suggesting the desire to shout from frustration, but without using offensive terms.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Seriously?!
- Are you kidding me?!
- Give me a break!
- Jeez! / Sheesh!
- Come on!
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- For fuck's sake (FFS)
- For Christ's sake
- God damn it
Milder Euphemisms:
- Oh, honestly!
- Goodness me! / My goodness!
- For Pete's sake
- For heaven's sake
- Oh, brother!
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Use among friends, family, or in casual settings.
- Generally too informal and emotional for professional or formal situations. Might sound childish or overly dramatic depending on delivery.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might be confused by the literal meaning (crying audibly). Explain it's an idiom expressing frustration, a substitute for stronger words.
Examples
- For crying out loud, will you please be quiet!
- I've searched everywhere for my keys, for crying out loud!
- He missed the deadline again? For crying out loud!
Dialogue
Parent: Billy, I told you not to track mud into the house! For crying out loud, look at this floor!
Billy: Sorry, Mom!
Parent: Go take your shoes off right now.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: My internet just went out during the final scene of the movie. For crying out loud! 😩 #badluck
- Facebook Post: Trying to get my toddler dressed is a battle every morning. For crying out loud, just put the sock on!
- Comment: For crying out loud, read the article before commenting!
Response Patterns
- Depends heavily on context and tone.
- If directed at someone's behavior: They might stop, apologize (Okay, okay!), get defensive (What's your problem?), or ignore it.
- If expressing general frustration: Others might agree (I know!), ask what's wrong (What happened?), or offer sympathy.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Often followed by a specific complaint, command, or question. (For crying out loud, turn the TV down!)
- The speaker might sigh heavily, throw their hands up, or make another gesture of frustration.
Conversation Starter
- No. An expression of immediate frustration or impatience.
Intonation
- Said with frustration, impatience, or exasperation.
- Stress often falls on CRYING and LOUD, or the whole phrase can be emphasized. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, stop it!
Generation Differences
- Perhaps slightly more common among older generations (40+) but well understood by most.
- Younger generations might favor alternatives like Seriously?! or stronger language.
Regional Variations
- Widely used, particularly common in American English.