make matters worse en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting rashly, foolishly, or incompetently.
His resentful attitude only made matters worse during the custody proceedings.
The mistake came about when there seemed to be little danger as Dicko swung in an innocuous cross, but the keeper somehow spilled the ball for Henry to head into an empty net. To make matters worse his error came in front of Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager.
2015 August 16, Press Association, “Wolves rescue point against Hull thanks to Allan McGregor howler”, in The Guardian:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| making matters worse | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| made matters worse | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| made matters worse | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| makes matters worse | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Antonyms
pour oil on troubled waters · improve · repair
Hypernyms
Synonyms
rub salt in the wound · hit someone when they are down · cap it all off · put the boot in · add insult to injury · kick a dog when it's down · add fuel to the fire · punch down · fan the flames · rub it in · strike someone when they are down · With malice · throw gasoline on the fire · twist the knife · make matters worse · kick someone when they are down
Translations (7)
fr aggraver la situation (worsen an already difficult situation) · es para más inri (worsen an already difficult situation) · pl pogarszać sprawę (worsen an already difficult situation) · sv till råga på allt (worsen an already difficult situation) · es para colmo (worsen an already difficult situation) · fi pahentaa tilannetta (worsen an already difficult situation) · pl pogorszyć sprawę (worsen an already difficult situation)