is someone cutting onions

English

(humorous) Drawing attention to somebody crying, or to a sad moment that makes one want to cry.
- 2019, Chantal Fernando, Saint:
  “Is someone cutting onions?” They must be. I'm sure of it. I'm not much of a crier, and I'm the type who tends to bury her emotions as much as she can.
- 2023, Sara Waxelbaum, Brianna R. Shrum, Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl:
  She looks up at him and smiles, and he smiles back, and man, is someone cutting onions in here? My throat is tight and dry, and I'm so jealous of Margo and Mendel I can barely think.