great cry and little wool

great cry and little wool

A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, he is offering great cry and little wool.
See also: and, cry, great, little, wool
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

great (or much) cry and little wool

a lot of fuss with little effect; a lot of fuss about nothing.
This expression comes from the idea of shearing pigs, where the result could be expected to be great cry and little wool .
See also: and, cry, great, little, wool
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • all cry and no wool
  • more cry than wool
  • wool
  • scale
  • throw something on the scale
  • be thrown into the scale (of something)
  • no glove, no love
  • keep it down to a dull roar
  • make a fuss about (someone or something)
  • make about