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rub salt in someone's wounds

To make a painful situation even worse (even with the best of intentions).

Etymology:

  • From the practice of using salt to inhibit infection of open wounds.
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“

John already feels guilty for what he did to you. Don't rub salt into his wounds.

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Submitted on July 07, 2010

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to rub salt in someone's wounds

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    "rub salt in someone's wounds." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/rub-salt-in-someones-wounds_14637>.

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