make matters worse: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘make matters worse’ mean?
The idiom "make matters worse" means to worsen a situation or problem that is already difficult or challenging. It signifies the act of adding more trouble or complications to an existing issue, making it even harder to resolve.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take a turn for the worse" means that a situation or someone's condition has deteriorated or become more negative than before.
The idiom "screwed up" means to make a mistake or to mess something up. It can refer to a situation that has been ruined or to a person who is behaving or performing poorly.
The idiom "salt in the wound" means to worsen an already difficult or painful situation, often by adding insult to injury.
The idiom "rub salt in the wound" means to worsen a difficult situation by adding insult or further distress to someone who is already suffering or upset.
The idiom "rub salt in someone's wounds" means to deliberately make someone's pain or sadness worse by reminding them of a painful experience or adding insult to injury.
The idiom "rub salt in someone's wounds" is a common phrase in the English language that dates back to the 16th century. It is derived from the act of physically applying salt to a wound, which was considered a cruel and painful practice.
The idiom "roughen up" means to make something or someone rough or more aggressive, usually by adding force or intensity. It can also refer to making something appear more rugged or worn.
The idiom "pour oil on troubled waters" means to do or say something to calm a difficult or tense situation.
The idiom "pour gasoline on the fire" means to aggravate or worsen a situation by adding more conflict or controversy.
The idiom "pour fuel on the fire" means to worsen a situation or make a problem even more intense or volatile by saying or doing something that aggravates it further.
The idiom "pave the road to hell" means that even though someone may have good intentions, their actions or decisions can ultimately lead to negative consequences or harm.
Intriguing Origins
The idiom "make matters worse" is a commonly used expression in the English language. It is a figurative phrase that conveys the idea of exacerbating or worsening an already difficult or negative situation. While the exact origin of this idiom is unknown, its usage and meaning are well-established.
When someone says "make matters worse," they are suggesting that the situation at hand is already unfavorable. Taking a specific action or making a certain decision will only amplify the negative aspects of the situation. The idiom implies a sense of compounding problems, adding fuel to the fire, or digging oneself further into a hole.
This idiom can be used in various contexts, both personal and professional. For example, in a personal context, one might say "I accidentally spilled coffee on my laptop, and to add insult to injury, it won't turn on anymore." Here, the idiom highlights the additional setback of the laptop failing to function after the coffee spill.
In a professional context, one might use the idiom to describe a situation where an action or decision worsened the outcome of a project or task. For instance, a project manager could say "I delegated an important task to an inexperienced team member, and to make heavy weather, they missed the deadline, causing the entire project to be delayed."
The idiom "make matters worse" is a concise and effective way to communicate the idea of compounding problems and negative outcomes. It allows individuals to convey the sense of additional difficulty or worsening situations without the need for lengthy explanations.
Overall, the idiom "make matters worse" serves as a valuable linguistic tool when expressing the concept of exacerbating an already challenging situation. Its widespread usage and understood meaning make it an indispensable part of the English language, enabling efficient communication of complex scenarios. While the precise origins of the idiom remain elusive, its presence in everyday conversation continues to shape our understanding and usage of figurative language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "make matters worse" can be used in a sentence:
She forgot her umbrella, and to make matters worse, it started raining heavily.
He didn't study for the test, and to make matters worse, he also overslept and arrived late to the exam.
The car broke down in the middle of the highway, and making matters worse, they realized they were out of gas.
More "negative" idioms
