tear-jerker

tearjerker

Something, especially a work such as book or film, that evokes such a strong emotional reaction that it literally makes one cry. Sometimes hyphenated as "tear-jerker." The book tells the story of a boy searching for his real family, and it's a tearjerker from start to finish. I don't normally cry at movies, but that ending was a tear-jerker! Her graduation speech was a real tearjerker.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tear-jerker

(ˈtɪrdʒɚkɚ)
n. a very sad story or film. I don’t care to read a steady diet of tear-jerkers.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • muckety muck
  • in demand
  • bowler hat (one) out (of something or some place)
  • bleeding edge
  • cop on
  • hit and miss
  • hit or miss
  • hit-and-miss
  • wiggy
  • flat strap
References in periodicals archive
To see Welch's complete tear-jerker list, see his blog at www.registerguard.com/blogs.
Learning how much, and how little, we need
Pacino (as usual) is full of quirks and mannerisms, but this wellmade tear-jerker has a fine cast (Jennifer Garner, Annette Bening, Christopher Plummer and Bobby Cannavale) and some lovely Lennon songs that help give it a real class.
Al makes hard quirk of rocker; MOVIES
Sadly my wife and two older children cannot enjoy the film as they are not bilingual, and for their benefit and millions of other non-Welsh speakers throughout the UK I wish a production company would make a professional DVD version with a subtitle option as I just know this classic tear-jerker would be a must watch every Christmas.
Classic film deserves a wider audience
Each episode is a tear-jerker and most of the crying is done by teachers, who blame themselves if kids don't succeed in exams.
I SHOULD have watched Strictly, [...]
Several real tear-jerker moments, with an absolutely wonderfully moving finale.
Fantastic trip to IMAX; views
It's a real tear-jerker but, for me, Susan and Mike were to Wisteria Lane what Scott and Charlene were to Neighbours.
FAVE EPISODE
TEAR-JERKER Jaz Ellington has spoken of his heartache after a childhood pal was gunned down in a gangland shooting.
Jaz relives pal Fabian's gang killing
"From this chart, it is clear that a well-written tear-jerker is one that people can relate to and empathise with," the Sun quoted Chairman Ellis Rich as saying.
'Everybody Hurts' by REM 'most likely to make men cry'
The next one is on Wednesday, July 15, when, after the tear-jerker that is La Traviata we get the comedy of The Barber Of Seville.
Try our free opera
Which film was named best tear-jerker of all time in a poll?
News Quiz
When it drops down the gears into bitter-sweet blues, it's a tear-jerker.
play: pick of the week; REMI NICOLE My Conscience And I (Island)
This is a brilliant novel packed with powerful feelings and suspense and with a real tear-jerker ending.
Book review
Straight in at a spanking pace, a gutsy orchestra heralded a fine performance of Puccini's tear-jerker La BohAme.
CULTURE: Gutsy show of strength from Welsh National Opera; Welsh National Opera Birmingham Hippodrome ****
Deborah Brady, a ranger at the Severn Trent reservoir and park, said: "This is a real tear-jerker, especially with the onset of spring and the start of the breeding season.
High flyer seeks new partner in love; LOVELORN: Rangers at Warwickshire reservoir make lonely hearts plea for Clio the swan
professional hit show Twopence to Cross the Mersey, by the Brothers Fennah, has wowed audiences throughout Merseyside and now the youngsters of Wirral Academy of Performing Arts have a stab at Helen Forrester's tear-jerker. Tonight at Pacific Road Centre, Birkenhead, at 7.30pm, and until January 28.
Key Events; THE ARTS EDITOR'S PICK OF THE DAY