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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

rub salt in someone's wounds en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

From the practice of using salt to inhibit infection of open wounds.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To make a painful situation even worse (even with the best of intentions).
    • John already feels guilty for what he did to you. Don't rub salt into his wounds.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
rubbed salt in someone's wounds Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
rubbed salt in someone's wounds Tense=Past lexicographic
rub salt in the wound alternative lexicographic
rubbing salt in someone's wounds Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
rubs salt in someone's wounds Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic