History Main / SandinMyEyes

* ''series/Peacemaker'': In episode 2, Adrian sees Chris in the middle of an emotional breakdown. Rather than admit he was crying, he tells his friend that he was doing "face muscle exercises."

* In episode 2 of ''series/Peacemaker'', Adrian sees Chris in the middle of an emotional breakdown. Rather than admit he was crying, he tells his friend that he was doing "face muscle exercises."

Contrast: ManlyTears, which is admitted; PastExperienceNightmare, where the hero really can keep it buttoned up ... while awake; TenderTears of exquisite sensibility; SingleTear, InelegantBlubbering. Compare TryingNotToCry, OnionTears, which may also be used as an excuse. The literal case of this trope is often preceded by AHandfulForAnEye. If anyone with two or more functioning brain cells would be able to see that it isn't sand, it overlaps with ObviouslyNotFine.

* Hal Holbrook's Oscar-nominated supporting role in ''Film/IntoTheWild'' culminates in one of these.

* In ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', if you have MacCready with you while exploring the pre-war nursery in the basement of Trinity Church, he audibly fights back tears before quickly saying that he has something in his eye -- it makes sense when you take into account the fact that he's been spending god knows how long trying to find a cure for his young son's severe illness.

* Played with in ''WesternAnimation/IceAge3DawnOfTheDinosaurs''. After [[spoiler:Peaches is born]] Diego is pushing away a tear. When called on it, he first invokes the trope. "No, no, that last dino caught my eye with a claw and..." and then subverts it "Alright, so [[ManlyTears I'm not made of stone]]." Later, Crash and Eddie repeat the trope.

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'':

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'':

* In the ''DonaldDuck'' story "W.H.A.D.A.L.O.T.T.A.J.A.R.G.O.N", written by Creator/DonRosa, Donald saves his nephews in a plywood mill, and they later give him an award. He tears up, and claims he still got sawdust in his eyes from the mill. One of his nephews points out that it was months before.

* Apparently Songbreeze from ''{{Literature/Redwall}}'' has such a touching, pure voice that it makes her battle-ready father cry. And he blames it on a gnat.

* On the first {{Wrestling/ECW}} "One Night Stand", Paul Heyman standing in the ring as the fans chant "Thank You Paul". He insisted that his eyes were red and watery because he'd been sharing a blunt with Rob Van Dam, not because he was crying. Yes, wrestling is scripted, but not everything is. This was not.

* The "Literal Lyrics" version of the infamous trailer for ''Videogame/DeadIsland'' invokes the Trope.

* In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry 3'', Dante sheds a tear for [[spoiler:his lost brother Vergil.]]

* In the second part of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War]]'', [[spoiler:Levin literally says there's just sand in his eyes when he cries onces. Specifically, if he's paired with [[{{Tsundere}} Tiltyu]] in the first part and their daughter [[ShrinkingViolet Tinny]] tells him [[BreakTheCutie about Tiltyu's sad end]]]].

** Played straight by Seraphina and Red Magnus in ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 5}}'', who both lie about their crying (Seraphina attempting to stifle a bored yawn; Red Magnus sweating from his heart) when Killia [[spoiler:deciphers the ingredients to the Toto Bunny Special Sweet Curry, as derived by Usalia's parents before their untimely deaths]]. Zeroken breaks down and admits to crying after hearing their "excuses".

* Onni from ''WebComic/StandStillStaySilent'' cries much more easily than he likes to admit. If someone notices his red eyes or sniffling, he tends to claim that he's allergic to the first thing that pops into his mind. He has been so far seen claiming an allergy to travel and an allergy to Sweden (he's Finnish).

* On the fan-run [[FourthWallMailSlot Ask]] [[Manga/KurokoNoBasuke Midorima]] Tumblr blog, [[http://ask-midorima.tumblr.com/post/26275066272 someone asks if Midorima was crying after he lost to Seirin.]] He replies defensively that it was raining -- which it was, but his reply was so ''very'' defensive that it seemed to be a case of SuspiciouslySpecificDenial.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

** Interestingly inverted in one episode. Buford has lost his pet goldfish, the one he won as a young boy, and is understandably devastated. But, being the neighborhood bully, he has a reputation to uphold. When one of the characters asks "Are you crying?" Buford replies, "No, I'm just sweating through my eyes!". Later, Isabella asks "Buford... are you sweating through your eyes?", he replies "No, I'm crying!" but that just may be because he's being contrary.

** In another episode, Buford cries, admiring the invention of the day; Baljeet asks if he is crying. Buford answers "No: you are crying!" and then puts his own tear on Baljeet's eye.

** "Chasing Bobby" has Hank crying in an emotional scene in a movie, which alarms Peggy [[spoiler:because he knows his long time truck is dying]]. Hank denies it by saying he has something in his eye. Peggy wants him to admit it and even takes him to an eye doctor. Later, him and Bobby find a convenient excuse for their crying from the "new-car smell".

* Creator/DavidTennant's last [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hSgbmtt-QM video diary]] for ''Series/DoctorWho'' shows him trying to remain composed as he knows he is about to say goodbye to the show's cast and crew, though his voice keeps cracking and he can't stand still. It's rather {{Adorkable}}.

Contrast: ManlyTears, which is admitted; PastExperienceNightmare, where the hero really can keep it buttoned up ... while awake; TenderTears of exquisite sensibility; SingleTear, InelegantBlubbering. Compare TryingNotToCry, OnionTears, which may also be used as an excuse. The literal case of this trope is often preceded by AHandfulForAnEye.

[[quoteright:346:[[ComicBook/CerebusTheAardvark https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Cerebus_soot_2574.jpg]]]]

Something of a DiscreditedTrope - nowadays it's just as likely to be used to evoke pity for the character's inability to express his emotions honestly as it is to portray them as strong and stoic. That's assuming it's not being outright mocked.

!!Examples

** The ''[[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Brotherhood]]'' version is [[TearJerker even worse]].
---> '''Hawkeye''': Are you alright, Colonel?\\
'''Mustang''': Yes, I'm fine ''(puts on a hat)'' Except... it's a terrible day for rain.\\
'''Hawkeye''': What do you mean? It's not raining.\\
'''Mustang''': ''(looks up with the hat obscuring his eyes, tears falls down his cheek)'' [[BlatantLies Yes... it is]].\\
''({{beat}})''\\
'''Hawkeye''': So it is.
*** This example has a character specific double meaning. Mustang is skilled in [[PlayingWithFire flame alchemy]] but it requires him and his target to be dry, so his powers don't work in the rain. He's not just trying to come up with an excuse for his tears, he's saying he feels useless.

--->[[spoiler: '''Kei''']]: Yui... Are you crying-
--->'''Yui''': '''I'm not crying!'''

'''Eddie:''' I didn't. (''turns on the waterworks'')

-->
-->'''Narrator''': In fact, a newspaper called you and your sisters "bug eyed freaks".
-->'''Female News Reporter:''' They are little freaks, aren't they?
-->'''Bubbles:''' Why would they do that? ''[wells up a little]'' That's really, really mean! ''[sniffles, covers up face with hands]'' Oh, I seem to be getting something in my eye again.

-->'''Michelangelo''': "Raph, are you crying?"\\
'''Raphael''': "Nah ding-dong... *sniffles* It's just a little dusty out here."
* Following the RuleOfThree in ''Film/{{Annie 2014}}'':

--> '''Martha''': Darling, are you crying?
--> '''Castle''': No, it's allergies... I've... pollen count is high.
--> '''Martha''': Pollen count's gotten me too.
--> ''They hug each other, and are both obviously crying.''

--> '''Darryl''': Stop crying.
--> '''Andy''': I'm not crying. I'm sweating.

--> '''Violet''': I have a cold.
* At the ending of an episode of "Series/{{The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams}}", Adams, upon seeing his friend Mad Jack tearing up after they'd said an emotional goodbye to someone they helped throughout the episode, has the following exchange:
--> '''Adams''': Got something in your eyes?
--> '''Mad Jack''': Oh, it's nothing. Just some smoke from the campfire.
--> '''Adams''': Ah.
--> ''*beat*''
--> '''Adams''': Must've been a pretty strong campfire.
--> '''Mad Jack''': Why do you say that?
--> '''Adams''': It's been out for a day.

--> '''Barney''': Are you OK, BJ?
--> '''BJ''': ''(tearing up)'' Yeah sure. I just think I got something my eye. I think I better check it out... ''(walks off)''
* ''Series/SesameStreet'': Elmo uses this excuse in episode #4424, upon getting emotional during the "wedding" of Rocco, Zoe's pet rock.
--> '''Zoe''': Elmo, are you crying?
--> '''Elmo''': ''(choked up)'' No! Elmo just has something in his eye.
* In the episode "Phone Home" from ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow,'' the heroes watch as they see a baby alien reunite with its mother and they both teleport back to their ship. Nate starts crying, but says that he just has some "alien goo" in his eyes. Sarah also says the same thing.
** In the finale of the ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'' crossover, everyone attends [[spoiler: Martin Stein's funeral]]. After Jax finishes delivering his speech, there's this:
-->'''Earth-X!Snart''': ''(sees Mick wiping his tears)'' That's it, big guy, let it out.
-->'''Mick''': Alergies. ''(walks away angry)''

--> Are you crying?
--> Naw, it's just my allergies.

--> It must be raining 'cause a man ain't supposed to cry
--> But I look up and I don't see a cloud

-->'''Satan''': Right, that's it. I can hear a demon blubbing. Is it you?\\
'''Demon''': No, no, I've just got dust in me eyes.

-->'''Lady''': ...Are you Crying?
-->'''Dante''': ...It's only the rain.
-->'''Lady''': ...The rain already stopped.
-->'''Dante''': [[ArcWords ...Devils never cry.]]
-->'''Lady''': Maybe somewhere out there, even a [[TitleDrop devil may cry]] when he loses a loved one. Don't'cha think?
-->'''Dante''': Maybe.

* Franchise/{{Disgaea}}

* At the ending of ''VideoGame/Uncharted2AmongThieves'', Nathan Drake claims that the tears he shed [[spoiler: when he thought Elena was dead]] were just the rain.
-->'''Nathan''': It was raining and you were unconscious.\\
'''[[spoiler:Elena]]''': It was sunny, and you were bawling. Whatever, I kept your tears in a jar. I have proof.

-->'''Voodoo Lady''': The value of the ring on Blood Island comes from its emotional significance. It represents a pure, true love, a power greater than any other.\\
'''Guybrush''': Oh, that's sweet. I... I think I have something in my eye.\\
'''Voodoo Lady''': (points at him in a strict manner) Do not mock the voodoo priestess.

-->'''Papyrus''': I didn't cry!!! I don't cry!! I just... caught something in my eye.\\
'''Sans''': What did you catch?\\
'''Papyrus''': [[ShapedLikeItself TEARS!!]]

* ''Webcomic/SomethingPositive'': When Davan plays a Creator/JimHenson [[http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp08032005.shtml memorial song to Jason to prove a point]], after Jason made fun of a workmate who played sad songs and cried over them, Davan himself ends up with "some backfired plan in my eye".

--> '''Riff''': Wow, you really ''did'' have something in your eye!
--> '''Torg''': I told you!
--> '''Riff''': Tears!
--> '''Torg''': Very funny. What's with the log?
--> '''Riff''': Prop-humor. Nevermind.

* Creator/{{Tobuscus}}' "Literal Dead Island Trailer" has him tearfully singing ''I'm not crying, there's something in both my eyes...''

--->'''Moe:''' I've got something in my eye. (''digs something from his eye'') Oh, it's just a piece of glass.
** He says the same thing in ''Like Father, Like Clown'' (although it really is tears this time).

--->''These aren't tears! We're [[BizarreAlienBiology vomiting through our eyes!]]"
** Mr.Burns says this to Smithers while they're at the theatre.

-->'''J:''' (''solemnly regards K for a moment'') Fuel fumes really sting the eyes, huh?\\
'''K:''' Yeah. (''J puts a hand on his shoulder'')

-->'''Lydia:''' (''wiping tears from her eyes'') Why, Beetlejuice... I do believe you're crying!\\

--> '''Stripes''': What are you looking at? It's just my allergies acting up. I must be allergic to dogs...

* In the new Marvel prose ''RocketAndGrootStealTheGalaxy'', Rocket tears up when their new robot friend (172) is leaving. It's not described outright, but alluded to in the dialogue.

Contrast: ManlyTears, which is admitted; BadDreams, where the hero really can keep it buttoned up ... while awake; TenderTears of exquisite sensibility; SingleTear, InelegantBlubbering. Compare TryingNotToCry, OnionTears, which may also be used as an excuse. The literal case of this trope is often preceded by AHandfulForAnEye.