rub salt in the wound

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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

Verb

rub salt in the wound

  1. (idiomatic) to make an injury, physical or emotional, feel worse
    Synonyms: add insult to injury, kick someone when they are down, twist the knife

Usage notes

  • For rub, one can substitute verbs such as add, pour, put, possibly requiring a change in the preposition in.
  • See salt in the wound for variations in that portion of the expression.

Translations

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