Search
rub salt in the wound
[rub] salt (in|into) {one's} woundsto rub salt in the wound
01
to make a difficult or painful situation even worse for someone
![to [rub] salt (in|into) the wound definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46434/original/?type=jpeg "to [rub] salt (in|into) the wound definition and meaning")
Disapproving
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "rub salt in the wound" and when to use it?
The idiom "rub salt in the wound" originated from the literal act of adding salt to a wound, which is known to cause intense pain and discomfort. Figuratively, the idiom is used to describe a situation where someone does something that worsens another person's suffering, distress, or disappointment by highlighting or emphasizing their misfortune or failure.
Example
To hold them to a standard that discriminatory marriage bans made impossible to meet rubs salt in the wound of their loss.
Mentioning her new boyfriend just rubbed salt into the wound.
Nearby Words
