Cool MateCry vs Watch it and weep
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cry
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Watch it and weep
SlangBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: CryMost common: Cry
| Cry | Watch it and weep | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kraɪ/","/kraɪz/","/kraɪd/","/ˈkraɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kraɪ/","/kraɪz/","/kraɪd/","/ˈkraɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɒtʃ ɪt ənd wiːp//🇺🇸 //wɑtʃ ɪt ənd wip// |
| Meaning | To produce tears from your eyes because you are sad or hurt. | Watch something sad and cry about it. |
| Example | The baby will cry when she is hungry. | After seeing that heartbreaking film, I just had to say, 'watch it and weep.' |
| Register | Neutral | Slang |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | a lot, hard, a little, begin to, start to, want to, about, for, over, cry like a baby, cry your eyes out, cry yourself to sleep, aloud, out, suddenly, want to, hear somebody, in, cry for help, cry out in anguish, fear, pain, etc. | watch a movie, weep silently, cry loudly |
| Antonyms | laugh, smile, cheer | Be happy, Rejoice, Celebrate, Laugh it off |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'scream' — 'cry' generally refers to tears, while 'scream' refers to loud vocal sounds., Using 'cry' as a transitive verb incorrectly — 'cry' does not take a direct object in this context., Mixing up 'cry' with 'weeping' — 'cry' can be more general while 'weeping' implies deeper, more intense emotion. | Using it in formal situations., Confusing it with 'watch and learn'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal situations. Appropriate for expressing sadness, pain, or deep emotion, but can be informal when used in a light-hearted context (e.g., 'cry with laughter'). Avoid using in overly casual contexts when discussing serious matters. | Used in informal contexts, often to express that something is very emotional. Too strong for casual conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Cry vs Watch it and weep
What's the difference between Cry and Watch it and weep?
Cry: To produce tears from your eyes because you are sad or hurt. Watch it and weep: Watch something sad and cry about it.
Which is more formal: Cry and Watch it and weep?
Cry is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Cry and Watch it and weep?
Cry is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Cry: The baby will cry when she is hungry. Watch it and weep: After seeing that heartbreaking film, I just had to say, 'watch it and weep.'
Can I use Cry and Watch it and weep interchangeably?
Not always. Cry and Watch it and weep are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.