Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) A sad story, especially one intended to elicit sympathy.
WordNet
n. a sentimental story (or drama) of personal distress; designed to arouse sympathy [syn: sob stuff]
Usage examples of "sob story".
That asshole Albin gave us a sob story about books and we told him we'd find the funds just to shut him up, but to be honest, there are several more important items we could be spending the money on.
That whole sob story outside about how the case was so crazy, how you didn't want me to push you away if something happenedyou knew about the whole damn thing.
Six months before, a little waitress named Cindy had given him two memorable nights and a sob story about a sick mother in Columbus.
Does thisfool-really think he's going to get off with that stupid sob story?