tale of woe

plural tales of woe

1. A narrative or description of one's problems or misfortunes.

   1 more example

   Ivy sat there for a moment, gathering herself. "Decent and indecent," she said. "I guess it makes life easier when you can put kids in two camps and write off half of them." She reached into her big canvas bag. "Almost forgot. Mr Quirk wanted refreshments." We passed the Mint Milanos around the conference table and told our tales of woe.

   2008, Wally Lamb, The Hour I First Believed, Ch.2, at p.35