sob

Everyday

1. verb: To cry noisily, with short sharp breaths. tree →
2. noun: The sound of loud crying. tree →
3. «sob story» (informal): a sad story told to make people feel sorry for you, maybe to get something. tree →
4. SOB (rude, US slang): short for a swear insult; not for school. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, sobbing shows deep sadness, fear or relief (more than crying quietly). «Sob your heart out» means cry a lot. «Sob story» shows suspicion that someone is exaggerating. Phrases: «sob loudly», «sob your heart out», «between sobs», «sob story».

Examples

• The little boy sobbed when he lost his balloon. tree →
• She sobbed her heart out when her hamster died. tree →
• «I can't find my mum,» he said between sobs. tree →
• We heard sobs from the next room. tree →
• He told the teacher a sob story about why his homework was late. tree →
• The audience sobbed at the sad ending. tree →
• ‘O Kay, my little Kay!’ sobbed Gerda. tree →

Note

Past «sobbed», «sobbing» (double b). Similar: cry, weep (formal), wail (loud), whimper (quiet). Capital «SOB» is a rude US abbreviation — avoid.