rubbed salt in the wound
Worsened existing pain
To rub salt in the wound is to make a painful situation worse, especially by reminding someone of their misfortune or adding insult to injury.
The image is of literal salt stinging an open cut.
After she lost the match, he rubbed salt in the wound by pointing out her missed shots.
Often appears as rub salt in the wound or pour salt on the wound.
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
- piling onExcessive group criticism
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- twisting the knifeIntensifying someone's distress deliberately
- humiliationLoss of dignity
adding insult to injury · digging the knife deeper · low blow · shame · mocking · provocation · pouring gasoline on the fire · bitterness · stirring the pot · embarrassment · rawness · sore spot · aggravation · teasing · making matters worse · soreness · resentment · retaliation
rubbed salt in the woundpoured oil on troubled waters
Eased a tense situation
rubbed salt in the woundpoured oil on troubled waters
Eased a tense situation
soothed · consoled · comforted · healed · took the edge off
rubbed, rubbing, rubber, salted, salting, saltiness, saltier, saltiest, wound