1
general::
Phrase(s): sob story
Fig. a sad story that is likely to draw tears. • I’ve heard nothing but sob stories today. Isn’t anybody happy? • She had quite a sob story, and I listened to the whole thing.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
A tale of personal hardship, true or invented, that is intended to arouse pity in the listener. For example, She always came up with some sob story to excuse her absences, but no one believed her. [Early 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms