Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
twist-the-knife
idiom
/twɪst ðə naɪf/
Definition
To inflict additional pain or distress on someone, especially when they are already suffering.
Examples
- During the meeting, he twisted the knife by bringing up her past mistakes in front of everyone.
- It feels like every time I think things can’t get worse, someone finds a way to twist the knife.
- She really knows how to twist the knife when she talks about my career struggles.
Meaning
This phrase is often used to describe the act of making a bad situation worse for someone, as by highlighting their problems or failures.
Synonyms
- rub salt in the wound
- add insult to injury
- make matters worse
