tale of woe

tale of woe

A story detailing one's personal problems or grievances, especially when used as an excuse for some failure. Mary's been late with three of her last four projects, and she's always got some tale of woe or another ready to justify her tardiness. I try not to sit next to Tom when we go the bar after work. After a beer or two, he invariable starts in on one of his tales of woe.
See also: of, tale, woe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tale of woe

a sad story; a list of personal problems; an excuse for failing to do something. I listened to her tale of woe without saying anything. This tale of woe that we have all been getting from Kelly is just too much.
See also: of, tale, woe
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

tale of woe

n. a sad story; a list of personal problems; an excuse for failing to do something. I listened to her tale of woe without saying anything.
See also: of, tale, woe
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • (that's a) likely story
  • a likely story
  • excuse
  • grievance
  • air (one's) grievances
  • air grievances
  • air one's grievances
  • land up at (some place)
  • excuse (one) for (something)
  • excuse for
References in classic literature
They told a tale of woe which was then al- together beyond my feeble comprehension; they were tones loud, long, and deep; they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the bitterest anguish.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave
The girl's words so inspired the Prince with confidence that he told her all his tale of woe, and ended up by asking her advice as to how he was to escape the punishment the Fairy would be sure to inflict on him when she discovered that he had not cut down the trees in the wood and that he had broken her axe.
Yellow Fairy Book
He had been sitting cross-legged listening to this tale of woe. "What think you, Friar Tuck, doth not a bit of fighting ease a man's mind?"
Robin Hood
Exasperated, Marilla returned to the kitchen and poured out her tale of woe to Matthew, who, between his sense of justice and his unlawful sympathy with Anne, was a miserable man.
Anne Of Green Gables
They were awed by what they had already seen of Wolf Larsen's character, while the tale of woe they speedily heard in the forecastle took the last bit of rebellion out of them.
The Sea Wolf
"Amusing, certainly," replied the young man, "inasmuch as, instead of shedding tears as at the fictitious tale of woe produced at a theatre, you behold in a law-court a case of real and genuine distress -- a drama of life.
Count of Monte Cristo
Pickwick in an obscure corner of the room, listened attentively to his tale of woe.
The Posthumous Papers Of The Pickwick Club
Well, I was telling you my tale of woe. They got us soon to this town of theirs--about a thousand huts of branches and leaves in a great grove of trees near the edge of the cliff.
The Lost World
Their creed was, "Bust the Trusts." All oppression originated in the trusts, and one and all told the same tale of woe. They advocated government ownership of such trusts as the railroads and telegraphs, and excessive income taxes, graduated with ferocity, to destroy large accumulations.
The Iron Heel
Moodiesburn man Alan Cairns' tale of woe began with a foul-mouthed tirade at his Hilltop Road home in July 2016.
Yob caused row in street - then abused and tried to spit at cops
Ahlberg tells a tale of woe; a great story struggling to find a way through cat invasion, snail snacking, child rampage, and the best efforts of friendly illustrator and publisher.
Ahlberg, Allan and Ingman, Bruce: My Worst Book Ever!
It was a similar tale of woe for Portstewart who were knocked out on penalties at home to Maiden City.
ANNAGH'S PEN WOE
On the pitch, Brighton face Southampton on the back ofWe blow FA's tale of woe a 3-0 away win at West Ham - and Hughton has high hopes for winger Jose Izquierdo who made a slow start after a PS16million move from Belgian club Brugge but scored a stunner at the London Stadium.
HUGHTON: I'M HERE TO HELP REFORM THE FA; BRIGHTON CHIEF'S OFFER; Prem's only black boss on the crisis engulfing football
The figures, released by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), highlight a similar tale of woe relating to the driving theory exam.
Driven to the end of their tether by test; IN BRIEF
This tale of woe was not restricted to the miners, however, with shares in BP and Royal Dutch Shell "B" shares falling 1.9% and 0.5% respectively.
Renewed drop in commodities prices hits FTSE; FTSE 100