Bore someone to tears
/bɔː ˈsʌmwʌn tə tɪəz/informalUK · US
What does “Bore someone to tears” mean?
Bore someone to tears means to make someone feel extremely bored
Something that bores you to tears feels painfully dull. A repetitive talk or a slow meeting might leave you desperate for it to end.
People usually mean this as a complaint, not a report of crying. “I was bored to tears” puts the focus on the person who had to sit through it.
When do people say it?
Use it as a strong complaint about something dull. It can be rude if said directly to the speaker.
“The guide's long list of dates bored us to tears.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The tears are an exaggeration of how unpleasant extreme boredom feels. They do not have to be real.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Bore someone to tears” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-09-19