turn on the waterworksinformalCRY to start crying in order to get sympathy 〔为博取同情而〕哭起来 ‘Don’t turn on the waterworks, ’ he sighed. “别哭了。”他叹了口气说。
turn on the waterworks• She was one of those people who could turn on the waterworks in order to get what they want.• Before Reagan turned on the waterworks, crying in public was widely considered a sign of weakness.
→ turn on the waterworks at waterworks(1)