rubs in
Won't let forget
To rub something in is to emphasize or repeatedly mention something unpleasant, especially someone's failure or mistake, making them feel worse about it: I know I messed up—you don't have to rub it in.
The image is of rubbing salt into a wound, intensifying pain that already exists.
- salt in the woundCompounding existing pain
- absorbTake in fully
- soak inAbsorb gradually and deeply
- dwell onThink about excessively
- smearSpread or defame
harp on · won't let it go · beat a dead horse · spread · hand · massage · skin · emphasize · reiterate · belabor · brush · gloat · underline · oil · stress · needle · twist the knife · taunt
emphasizing negative information
rubs inlets go
Relinquishes hold, or urges haste
moves on · forgives · overlooks · glosses over · downplays