“Cry wolf” refers to giving false or unjustified alarms, especially repeatedly, with the result that a later genuine warning may be doubted. It is used for credibility lost through repeated false alerts.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionPhrases & Idioms
Quick answer
“Cry wolf” means raise false alarms so often that later warnings risk not being believed.
Key details
Canonical Formcry wolf
Core Meaningto raise a false alarm or repeatedly ask for help without good reason so that later warnings may not be believed
Further guidance
History Boundary
The page publishes the current dictionary-supported meaning without claiming an exact inventor, coinage date, or absolute first use.
Meaning
to raise a false alarm or repeatedly ask for help without good reason so that later warnings may not be believed
Usage Boundary
Use it for false-alarm behavior and the resulting credibility problem, not merely for any mistaken prediction.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
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