Meaning of "sob story"

[Lola]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #55 "Hear my Story", question 3

It was a bit of a ......... story really because she told us how her boyfriend had left her, she'd lost her job and she had nowhere to live.

(a) cry
(b) weep
(c) tear
(d) sob

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #55 "Hear my Story", answer 3

It was a bit of a sob story really because she told us how her boyfriend had left her, she'd lost her job and she had nowhere to live.

Correct answer: (d) sob
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meaning of "sob story"

Lola

[Yankee]

Hi

The answer is "sob".

A "sob story" is a story of great trouble and difficulty designed to make other people pity you. It could also be a rationalization.

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English