Salt in the wound Meaning in English
expression
Definición
To make someone’s pain or disappointment even worse by reminding them of it or by adding an extra insult or difficulty.
Uso & Matices
This is an idiomatic, informal expression. Commonly used after a negative event is made even worse by a comment or action. Not used for physical pain, but for emotional/metaphorical situations. Often follows actions like criticism, reminders of failure, or embarrassing stories.
Oraciones de Ejemplo
Losing the game was bad, but hearing them laugh was salt in the wound.
basic
Telling him about my promotion was just salt in the wound after he lost his job.
basic
Your rude comment was salt in the wound after my bad day.
basic
I was already upset about missing the bus, and then it started raining—talk about salt in the wound.
natural
Posting the photos online was just salt in the wound after the breakup.
natural
It was salt in the wound when my boss praised my coworker for the project I worked on too.
natural