Idiom: not know whether to laugh or cry

Meaning

Idiom: not know whether to laugh or cry

to be very upset or shocked about a situation and not know how to react to it

Example sentences

— When the doctor’s office told me the first available appointment was five months later, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

— When I dropped my iPhone in the toilet, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

— We didn't know whether to laugh or cry when our parents told us we were moving to Minnesota.

— I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when my son showed me the picture he painted on the kitchen wall.

— We didn't know whether to laugh or cry when our daughter got into Harvard but didn't qualify for scholarships.

— When my wife said her mother was moving in with us, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

— What's wrong? You look like you don't know whether to laugh or cry.

— I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I made the cheerleading team but my best friend did not—especially since she's the one who wanted to try out.

— We did fertility treatments for five years to have a baby but we didn't know whether to laugh or cry when we discovered we were having quintuplets.

Synonyms

be at a loss
not know what hit you
no know where to turn
be dazed and confused

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