Г-55

ГЛАЗА НА МОКРОМ МЕСТЕ (у кого) coll VP subj. 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).