Meaning

To make a bad situation even worse.

Origin

From the Roman fable about a man who was injured and then insulted. Popularized in English in the 18th century.

Example Sentence

"First I lost my wallet, then to add insult to injury, I missed the last bus."

Synonyms

make worse rub salt in the wound compound the problem

Become Fluent in English with Englixia Academy

Join thousands of students mastering English. Get personalized lessons, expert guidance, and interactive practice.