twist the knife

== English == === Alternative forms === turn the knife, twist the knife in the wound, turn the knife in the wound === Etymology === Derived from the fact that the act of literally twisting a knife that is still inside someone who has just been stabbed will widen the wound and make it even more painful. === Pronunciation === === Verb === twist the knife (third-person singular simple present twists the knife, present participle twisting the knife, simple past and past participle twisted the knife) (informal, figuratively) To deliberately do or say something to worsen a difficult situation or increase a person's distress, irritation, or anger. ==== Synonyms ==== kick someone when they are down rub salt in the wound See also Thesaurus:make matters worse ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === “twist/turn the knife (in the wound)”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “twist turn the knife in the wound”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present. “twist turn the knife in the wound” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman. “twist turn the knife in the wound” (US) / “twist turn the knife in the wound” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.