reduce someone to tears
To cause to cry.
reduce
UK /ɹɪˈd͡ʒuːs/ US /ɹɪˈd(j)us/
verb 5
Definitions
verb
1
To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower.
to reduce weight, speed, heat, expenses, price, personnel etc.
Becoming more aware of the progress that scientists have made on behavioral fronts can reduce the risk that other natural scientists will resort to mystical agential accounts when they exceed the limits of their own disciplinary training.
2
To lose weight.
3
To bring to an inferior rank; to degrade, to demote.
to reduce a sergeant to the ranks
My father, the eldest son of an ancient but reduced family, left me with little.
4
To humble; to conquer; to subdue; to capture.
to reduce a province or a fort
5
To bring to an inferior state or condition.
to reduce a city to ashes
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