rub salt in the wound

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To aggravate or exacerbate a physical or emotional injury.

Pronunciation

En-au-rub salt in the wound.ogg

Word forms

rub salt in the wound rubs salt in the wound rubbing salt in the wound rubbed salt in the wound rub salt in someone's wounds rub salt into the wound rub salt into the wounds

Etymology

Derived from the stinging sensation of salt deliberately being rubbed into an open, bleeding wound.

Synonyms

add insult to injury kick someone when they are down twist the knife rub it in add fuel to the fire cap it all off fan the flames make matters worse throw gasoline on the fire With malice hit someone when they are down kick a dog when it's down punch down put the boot in rub salt in the wound strike someone when they are down

Derived words

add salt to injury

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