Clue: It's not as bad as 16 but may cause tears, when shopping (5,6,6,2,3)
Answer: WORSE THINGS HAPPEN AT SEA
Explanation: Definition: It's not as bad as 16
="It's not as bad as IN THE MAIN", where 'the main'=the sea
 *Edit thanks to Steve B: WORSE THINGS HAPPEN / AT SEA gives (worse things happen)*=>"tears when shopping"*
 ~~anagram of (tears when shopping)*~~