world's smallest violin

Definitions

A notional violin that plays tragic music for the afflicted; used in dismissive responses to complaints of woe.

humorous

Examples

“Ohh, boo-hoo! Let⟳ me play⟳ a sad song for you on the world's smallest violin.”

“The world's smallest violin playing hearts and flowers for every sweetheart of the Midwest who didn't make⟳ it in Hollywood.”

“He stretches out his arm and then rubs his thumb and forefinger together as if he is playing the world's smallest violin for the world's largest whiner. How rude is that?”

“Even someone upset⟳ about something as serious and awful as cancer wasn't safe from my world's smallest violin. Well, you have⟳ cancer. That sucks but cancer has been beaten.”

“The world's smallest violin / Really needs an audience / So if I do not find⟳ somebody soon (That's right, that's right) / I'll blow⟳ up into smithereens”

““We are privileged to have⟳ this job – but also face⟳ some uniquely terrible employment practices. You can’t talk⟳ openly about them without feeling it’s like⟳ getting out the world’s smallest violin,” sighed one MP.”

CEFR level