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to rub salt in the wound
[rub] salt (in|into) {one's} wounds
to 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
Informal
What 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.
Examples
Losing the final was painful enough; their jokes only rubbed salt in the wound.
