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Region: General | Usage example: Telling him now just adds salt in the wound.

Salt in the wound

Meaning

Make someone's misery worse.

Usage

Used when compounding pain.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Salt irritates open wounds.

Used in moralizing texts for centuries.

Related Idioms

Rub salt in the wound

Make someone's hurt worse.

Pour salt on the wound

Make someone feel worse after they are already hurt.

Salt of the earth

A person with solid moral character.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.