reopen old wounds

reopen old wounds

To bring up or remind someone of a painful, tragic, or unfortunate past event or situation. Seeing Jessica with her new girlfriend reopened a lot of old wounds this afternoon. The fight got pretty nasty, and we both started reopening old wounds from years ago.
See also: old, reopen, wound
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

reopen old ˈwounds

remind somebody of something unpleasant that happened or existed in the past: Look, let’s try not to reopen any old wounds this time, OK?
See also: old, reopen, wound
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • open old wounds
  • reopen
  • keep after
  • keep after (someone or something)
  • this too shall pass (away)
  • need I remind you (that)
  • need I remind you that
  • remind
  • remind (one) of (someone or something)
  • remind of
References in periodicals archive
In the series, the character is conflicted, still grieving while considering a story that will undoubtedly reopen old wounds.
Taiwanese actor on why 'World Between Us' is relevant in many ways
Jonny Petrie, who arrived in the province last month, insisted yesterday he had no desire to "reopen old wounds".
JACKSON WILL NEVER PLAY FOR ULSTER AGAIN; New chief rules out 'reopening old wounds' over rape trial
Michelle Zelli, a life coach, also said that Markle and Prince Harry's baby's arrival could reopen old wounds that took a very long time to heal for the Duke of Sussex.
Meghan Markle's Baby Could 'Trigger' Harry After Diana's Death, Expert Says
But before you reopen old wounds, and maybe cause more hurt and confusion, figure out why you left him.
Don't run back to guy you dumped; Ask Anne; Life, love and angst Anne Diamond answers your questions
If you reopen old wounds, Turkey was the least contributor," Yildirim added.
Turkish pres., PM criticize German parl't stance over Armenia incidents
And while I have mentioned it before (in my column on October 27, 2009, to be precise) it's time to reopen old wounds because there's been a big development!
Supporting my team for the shire hell of it
Now the aim is to reopen old wounds from the HE-da-Par side, so that the two groups will fight each other."
ISIL and gov't cooperated to carry out attacks in Diyarbakyr, claims HDP deputy
But they say escalating violence could reopen old wounds and trigger ethnic bloodletting.
Top US diplomat on way to try to halt unrest in Burundi
According to analyst Ismet Ramadani, the processes are over and it is not good to "reopen old wounds".
Albanian analysts say old wounds should not be opened
Once again under suspicion, they are forced to reopen old wounds.
TV CHOICE
But there is concern in Kenya that the trials could reopen old wounds and undo reconciliation efforts by communities who once fought each other in deadly battles.
Kenyan vice president Ruto goes on trial at ICC
Once again under suspicion, they are forced to reopen old wounds and revisit painful memories.
DYDD IAU
"The only other condition to which this proposal is subject is that of your keeping the fact of a payment having been paid and its amount, confidential, as media publicity or even the individuals' gossip can reopen old wounds and so undermine efforts to make peace."
How open is the Church on Cardinal sins?
IS Lord Heseltine about to reopen old wounds? The former deputy prime minister publishes his report on regional economic growth today, stay with me, and the Scribbler hears behind the scenes that he wants to see one mayor for Tyne and Wear.
the Scribbler
Some analysts warned that the more open political climate that has evolved in Myanmar over the past year has allowed people to use new freedoms to reopen old wounds.
Rising ethnic clashes could tarnish Myanmar's 'Asia's next big frontier market' image