festering wound
Rotting open sore
A festering wound is an injury that has become infected and is getting worse rather than healing—typically swollen, producing pus, and spreading decay.
The phrase extends figuratively to any problem left unaddressed that grows more harmful over time: The unresolved dispute became a festering wound in their marriage.
Decades of neglect left the neighborhood a festering wound on the city's conscience.
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- pusInfected tissue fluid
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- blood poisoningInfection spreading through bloodstream
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
rot · decay · septic · oozing · inflamed · sore · ulcer · necrosis · bandage · scab · swollen · throbbing · suppurating · putrid · flesh · weeping · open sore · tender
- body metaphorsbackbone, blind spot, gut feeling, headache, heartbeat
- skin injuriescut, scrape, scratch, bruise, burn
metaphorical emotional state
festering woundreconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
forgiveness · closure · made peace · emotional healing · water under the bridge