fake crying; crocodile tears
Refers to deliberately pretending to cry, often to manipulate or gain sympathy. Can be used for children or adults.
Don't be fooled by the child's fake crying.
I'm used to her crocodile tears by now.
Compound of 作り (tsukuri, 'making' or 'manufactured') + 泣き (naki, 'crying'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently means 'manufactured crying'.