do more harm than good

do more harm than good

To exacerbate the problem, rather than making it better, often in the process of trying to help. I'm worried that I did more harm than good by applying that tourniquet by myself. I should have just waited for the paramedics to get here. Doug means well, but he usually does more harm than good when he tries to help with the sorting.
See also: good, harm, more
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • not mean (one) any harm
  • mean (one) no harm
  • mean no harm
  • taught
  • teach (one) a lesson
  • teach a lesson
  • teach somebody a lesson
  • teaching
  • not harm a hair of someone's head
  • not harm a hair on (one's) head
References in periodicals archive
What you eat and drink before a race can do more harm than good unless you make sure that all the food and drink consumed is completely digested.