глаза на мокром месте

• ГЛАЗА НА МОКРОМ МЕСТЕ (у кого) coll

[VP]

=====

⇒ with быть; Invar; fixed WO (except in questions)] s.o. cries often, is inclined to cry, or is ready to start crying:

- у X-a глаза (всегда) на мокром месте{{}}≈ X is (always) on the verge of tears;

- X is (always) ready to burst into tears;

- X is (always) ready to turn on the waterworks;

- X is one for turning on the waterworks;

- [in reference to s.o.'s state at a given moment] X is about to cry <to burst into tears>;

- X's eyes are brimming <filled> with tears.

     ♦ [Трилецкий:] Будем теперь плакать... Кстати, глаза на мокром месте... (Чехов 1). [Т.:] Now we're going to cry-we've always been one for turning on the waterworks, haven't we? (1b).

     ♦ [Я] видел, что у неё глаза на мокром месте, но она не хотела этого показывать и ушла (Трифонов 5). I could see that she was about to cry, but she didn't want to show her emotion and left the room (5a).