rub salt in the wound

== English == === Alternative forms === 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. === Pronunciation === === Verb === rub salt in the wound (third-person singular simple present rubs salt in the wound, present participle rubbing salt in the wound, simple past and past participle rubbed salt in the wound) (idiomatic) To aggravate or exacerbate a physical or emotional injury. Synonyms: add insult to injury, kick someone when they are down, twist the knife, rub it in; see also Thesaurus:make matters worse ==== 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. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====