expression, godan verb (-ku)
be reduced to tears; end up crying
Idiomatic expression meaning to cry out of frustration or humiliation, often after a failure or defeat. The image is of someone crying so hard they look like a barking dog.
あんなに強がっていたのに、結局吠え面をかくことになった。
He was acting so tough, but in the end he was reduced to tears.
試験に落
He failed the exam and ended up crying.