twisted the knife
Rubbed it in
To twist the knife is to make a painful situation worse, especially by emphasizing someone's failure, loss, or humiliation after they're already hurt.
The image is of a knife already plunged in—twisting it deepens the wound.
After she dumped him, she twisted the knife by dating his best friend.
He lost the promotion, and his boss twisted the knife by giving it to someone he'd trained.
- gloatRelish superiority smugly
- rubbed it inEmphasized another's misfortune cruelly
- malignAttack someone's reputation
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- hurtCause or feel pain
antagonize · inflict · add insult to injury · rub salt in the wound · salt in the wound · guilt-tripping · intensify · stab in the back · hit below the belt · went for the jugular · worsen · piled on · demoralizing · malicious · aggravate · exasperate · gaslighting · attacking
twisted the knifecomforted
Given emotional relief
poured oil on troubled waters · soothed · consoled · let it go · bit one's tongue
twisted the knifepoured oil on troubled waters
Eased a tense situation
forgave · made amends · let sleeping dogs lie · buried the hatchet · moved on
twist, twisted, twisting, twister, twisters, twists, untwisted, knife, knives