GATE Mechanical 2020 Set 1 | GA | Question: 1

Question

He is known for his unscrupulous ways. He always sheds ________tears to deceive people.

• A. fox’s
• B. crocodile’s
• C. crocodile
• D. fox

Answer 1

Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) is a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief.

So, the correct answer is $(C).$

Answer 2

In crocodile tears

      crocodile = noun used as an adjective (noun modifier)

      tears = main noun

Just like:

      stone wall

      gold ring

      school bus

No apostrophe needed.

crocodile’s looks logical because:

• Apostrophe ’s shows possession

• A crocodile does have tears

 But English idioms are about meaning, not logic.

“Crocodile tears” means:

fake tears meant to deceive

Thus option C is the right choice.