rubbing it in
Prolonging someone's humiliation
To rub something in is to emphasize or repeatedly mention someone's mistake, failure, or misfortune in a way that makes them feel worse about it.
The expression draws on the image of literally rubbing a substance into a wound.
I know I failed the test—you don't have to rub it in.
Someone who keeps bringing up your embarrassing moment is rubbing it in, whether they mean to or not.
- rub it inEmphasize someone's mistake cruelly
- salt in the woundCompounding existing pain
- needlingPersistent mild taunting
- twisting the knifeIntensifying someone's distress deliberately
- gloatingSmug triumph display
taunting · teasing · belittling · adding insult · mocking · sarcasm · shame · ridiculing · crowing · I told you so · tone-deafness · insensitivity · poor taste · guilt · chirp · one-upmanship · condescension · irony
- sore winner behaviorbragging, boasting, gloating, taunting, trash talk