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USA slang
An exclamation of exasperation or frustration.
Safe to use?
Usually safest with people who already understand the context.
Tone
Casual and context-dependent.
Region
USA
Formality
Informal.
for crying out loud means An exclamation of exasperation or frustration. It is best read as usa slang associated with USA.
"for crying out loud" means An exclamation of exasperation or frustration. In USA, the nuance may be more specific.
Use it in casual contexts where the listener already understands the tone around the term.
"People use "for crying out loud" to mean an exclamation of exasperation or frustration."
"I saw "for crying out loud" in a message and checked the context before using it."
"That sounds like "for crying out loud" if everyone in the conversation understands the tone."
Casual and context-dependent.
Usually safest with people who already understand the context.
Context-dependent
An expression of surprise, disbelief, or exasperation.
Perfectly styled; looking flawless or well-put-together.
Sneakers or athletic shoes.
Unoriginal, mainstream, or predictable in style and tastes.
An outfit (short for "outfit").
An exclamation of surprise, frustration, or resignation.
Our current dataset does not confirm the exact origin of "for crying out loud". The entry is associated with USA, but that is a usage clue rather than proof of origin. We avoid filling that gap with guessed history.
Usually safest with people who already understand the context.
This entry is best understood as USA slang. Usage can still vary by speaker and context.
Use caution. Slang can sound too casual or forced in professional settings unless the workplace tone is relaxed.
"na wa o" is related, but the tone and exact meaning may differ. Compare the example sentences before swapping one for the other.
Our entry treats it as current enough to explain, but slang changes quickly. Check recent context before using it yourself.
Slang meanings vary by region, speaker, and context. Tell us if the meaning, tone, examples, or background should be updated.
SlangWatch entries are maintained by the SlangWatch Editorial Team using submitted examples, regional labels, tags, and ongoing reader corrections. We avoid claiming a precise origin or cultural pathway unless the entry has meaningful supporting data.