crying shame, a

a crying shame

Something that is problematic and inopportune. It's a crying shame that the car just died—I planned to give it to you some day.
See also: crying, shame
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

crying shame, a

An unfortunate situation, as in It's a crying shame that Bob can't find a job. This term may well come from the now obsolete to cry shame upon, meaning "express vigorous disapproval or censure," current from about 1600 to the mid-1800s.
See also: crying
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • a crying shame
  • crying shame
  • be a crying shame
  • it's a crying shame
  • shame
  • for crying in a bucket
  • cry for
  • cry for (someone or something)
  • for crying out loud
  • For crying out loud!