twist the knife

twist the knife

To add to, exacerbate, or amplify a betrayal or wrong by further malicious actions. He said it was over, and then he twisted the knife and said he had never loved me.

See also: knife, twist

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

twist the knife

or

twist the knife in the wound

If someone twists the knife or twists the knife in the wound, they deliberately do or say something which make a situation even worse for someone who is upset or experiencing problems. Her daughter managed to twist the knife still further by claiming Nancy never loved her. To twist the knife in the wound, he appears to have cast doubt on whether Gray's invention was really his own idea. Note: You can also talk about a twist of the knife. Any cut-backs on the ceremony would be a further twist of the knife for bereaved families.

See also: knife, twist

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

twist (or turn) the knife

deliberately make someone's grief or problems worse.

1991 Mavis Nicholson Martha Jane & Me While she and I were playing the cat-and-mouse game of these stories, I would sometimes, just to twist the knife a little further, ask about the little girl's father.

See also: knife, twist

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

turn/twist the ˈknife (in the wound)

deliberately remind somebody of something they are already upset about, and so upset them even more: After the divorce, her friend turned the knife in the wound by saying she had always thought that the marriage wouldn’t last. ♢ All right. I know I was stupid. You don’t have to twist the knife.

See also: knife, turn, twist

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017