Rub salt in the wound

Meaning

This refers to intentionally making a bad situation worse. It implies that someone is adding unnecessary insult or emotional distress to an already painful experience.

Grim, descriptive

Used in a sentence

• He knew I was fired, so bringing up the stock options was just rubbing salt in the wound.
• I lost the game by one point, and having the coach critique my every move is just rubbing salt in the wound.
• Please do not mention the breakup again as it is just rubbing salt in the wound.