Crying before one is hurt is a phrase commonly used to refer to someone who is needlessly worrying or expressing emotions in anticipation of a problem that may not materialize. Synonyms for this phrase include "jumping the gun," "anticipating the worst," "prematurely panicking," and "overreacting." These terms all suggest a tendency to become overly anxious or worried in situations that may not require such a heightened emotional response. Other related phrases include "crying wolf" and "chicken little," which both describe exaggerated or false alarms that cause needless hysteria. It's important to remain calm and level-headed in the face of potential challenges to avoid crying before one is actually hurt.