Dictionary

take out an onion en · VERB

Etymology

The vapours from sliced onions cause tears, allowing someone to pretend to cry. Coined by Private Eye and used as a mock stage description, originally to describe Harold MacMillan.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) Suggests that the performer of the action is not sincere in their grief.
   • He’s almost taking out an onion now as he remembers his father and his own early struggles. 2010 August 6, Jonathan Wheatley, “Brazil’s TV debate: ports, rates and Lula’s shadow”, in The Financial Times:
   • I sympathise, of course, (takes out onion) with Ken’s own experience of how hard it is to find employment, in a particularly tough job market for embittered old lefties. 2012 January 21, Andrew Gilligan, “Ken Livingstone: new health concerns as multiple personality disorder detected”, in The Daily Telegraph:
   • "I don't want the next generation to misunderstand history" Mr Chea told a packed court, no doubt taking out an onion as he did so. "I don't want them to believe the Khmer Rouge were bad people, war criminals." 2011 December 11, DJ Taylor, “Clichés - We're all in them together”, in The Independent:

Forms

Relateds

crocodile tears