what does "cry me a river" mean?

[Goran]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #704 "English Slang Idioms (446)", question 3

"No one cares about me. My boyfriend was late for our date and my best friend hasn't called me for a week," Jenna whined. Christa replied, "Oh, ......... me a river! You never call anyone and you're always an hour late."

(a) roll
(b) cry
(c) wail
(d) pour

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #704 "English Slang Idioms (446)", answer 3

"No one cares about me. My boyfriend was late for our date and my best friend hasn't called me for a week," Jenna whined. Christa replied, "Oh, cry me a river! You never call anyone and you're always an hour late."

Correct answer: (b) cry
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what "cry me a river " mean?

Goran

[Skrej]

When you cry, you produce tears. The idea is to cry so much you produce a river of tears. In other words, to cry a great deal.

Christina is being sarcastic, because she doesn't feel any sympathy for Jenna, since Jenna does exactly the same thing that she's complaining her boyfriend and best friend do to her.

So, to say 'cry me a river' is an exaggeration used to convey a sense of sarcasm when you don't feel sympathetic towards the person who's complaining.
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