rub salt into the wound

rub salt in(to) the/(one's) wound(s)

To make something that is already difficult, unpleasant, or painful even worse; to accentuate, aggravate, or intensify a negative situation, emotion, or experience (for someone). After losing the championship match, it really rubbed salt in John's wound for his girlfriend to break up with him the next day. My pride was already hurting when I didn't get the job, but hearing that they gave it to Dave really rubbed salt into the wound. I can't believe you would ask me to pay you back on the day that I got laid off. Thanks for rubbing salt in my wounds, man.
See also: rub, salt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rub salt into the wound

or

rub salt in the wound

COMMON If someone or something rubs salt into the wound or in the wound, they make a situation that is already bad for a person seem even worse. I wasn't allowed to eat anything for 24 hours before the operation so I was really hungry and just to rub salt into the wound, had to sit there while Zoe ate the most delicious-looking pizza. The police rubbed salt in the wounds by waving money in the strikers' faces, a reminder of all the overtime they were earning.
See also: rub, salt, wound
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

rub salt into the (or someone's) wound

make a painful experience even more painful for someone.
See also: rub, salt, wound
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

rub ˈsalt into the wound/into somebody’s wounds

make somebody who is already feeling upset, angry, etc. about something feel even worse: She was already upset about not getting the job, but when they gave it to one of her own trainees it really rubbed salt into the wound.
See also: rub, salt, wound
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • pour salt in(to) the/(one's) wound(s)
  • pour salt on(to) the/(one's) wound(s)
  • rub salt in a wound
  • rub salt in(to) the/(one's) wound(s)
  • rub salt into the wound/into somebody's wounds
  • go from bad to worse
  • find (something) out the hard way
  • from bad to worse
  • hard way, the
  • come to a bad/sticky end
References in periodicals archive
He said the stereotype statements of the government and sacking a few officials are not sufficient but tantamount to rub salt into the wounds of the bereaved family.
Zainab rape-murder questions governance, justice system: Saleem Shahzad
"However, it would rub salt into the wounds if some of the best paid civil and public servants are virtually getting off scot-free."
State staff escape the PRSI drop
Just to rub salt into the wounds, I also backed Secret Society, who looked like Peking Prince in disguise when cruising up in the 7f handicap, only to find 40-1 poke Al Muheer too strong.
Probert misjudgement? BETTING REPORT
And to rub salt into the wounds, McKenna applied the killer touch with 25 minutes remaining.
McKenna on hand
To rub salt into the wounds, Glennon then booted the ball up field for Roberts to race clear and fire an unstoppable volley, before Flynn hit a stunning drive for the third.
Swindon 1 Huddersfield 3; Coca Cola FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE
Just to rub salt into the wounds, Newcastle added a third in the dying seconds when Kev Benson converted Ian Milbourne's close-range cross.
Football: Cook's double treat; Carisma Emergency Services League
Just to rub salt into the wounds, we cannot even get the many overgrown trees and bushes throughout the area pruned by either Middlesbrough Council or Erimus Housing.
It's not cheap at twice the price..
But the American chose to rub salt into the wounds of his fellow competitors by outsprinting T-Mobile rider Andreas Kloden to cross the finishing line first in Le Grand Bornard and winning the 20th Tour stage of his career after a gruelling six hours-plus riding in the Alps.
Armstrong rubs it in