cry in one's beer

present singular third person cries in one's beer · participle present crying in one's beer · participle past cried in one's beer · past cried in one's beer · alternative cry into one's beer · alternative weep in one's beer

1. idiomaticTo feel sorry for oneself; to feel sadness or regret, especially in combination with self-pity.

   He was bitter about the whole thing, but he wasn't crying in his beer.

   1956 July 27, Harris Powers, “The Circus Gets In One's Blood”, in Sarasota Journal, US, retrieved 15 Jul 2011, page 4

   3 more examples

   It was a pleasure to talk to a movie producer who wasn't crying in his beer over what the European war has done to the picture business.

   1940 June 16, Frederick C. Othman, “Here's Film Director Who Says War Helps Business”, in St. Petersburg Times, US, retrieved 15 Jul 2011, page 21

   "When you win, you're supposed to drink to celebrate, and when you lose, you're supposed to cry in your beer."

   2003 April 17, Ian O'Connor, “Alcohol puts a damper on fun and games”, in USA Today, retrieved 15 Jul 2011

   Christopher Nolan need not cry in his beer over Inception's demotion to the No. 2 spot.

   2010 August 8, Richard Corliss, “Box Office Weekend”, in Time