+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

 
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Posts
    750
    Rep Power
    1756

    Default What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Hi,
    I've heard this expression and couldn't figure out the meaning:
    Thanks for rubbing salt in the wound

    What does it mean?

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Texas, USA
    Posts
    1,973
    Rep Power
    5020

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Hi nabylm:

    Rubbing salt into the wound means, generally, to make someone feel worse than they already do.

    Some examples might be: losing your job (the wound) and having the person you dislike most get your old job (rubbing in the salt)...or your wife/husband leaves you for your best friend.

    It's sort of like another of our expressions: "A Double Whammy" or one bad thing followed by another.
    Last edited by vicente; 06-20-2017 at 11:51 AM.
    vicente

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Posts
    750
    Rep Power
    1756

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    OK. Kind of like when you think you hit bottom, you figure out there's a slope that'll get you even lower... And that's when you start to feel the salt burning up your blood
    Got it! thanks vicente

  4. #4
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    716
    Rep Power
    963

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Just imagine how bad a wound feels. Then add the feeling of salt in the open wound. That's the point off how painful it is.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Texas, USA
    Posts
    1,973
    Rep Power
    5020

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Yep Daniel. That's the point of the phrase.


    There is a similar phrase that probably derived from this phrase.

    "To rub it in": to remind someone of a mistake or something unpleasant or unwanted that they have done in order to embarrass, humiliate, anger or just annoy them.

    EX: "I know I made a mistake. You don't have to rub it in."
    vicente

  6. #6
    Moderator eidjit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Buenos Aires
    Posts
    460
    Rep Power
    1013

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    I believe that the phrase:
    "Thanks for rubbing salt in the wound"
    in spanish would be like: "Gracias por poner el dedo en la llaga"
    Sumando a las descripciones que dieron los experimentados miembros del foro. Puro sarcasmo.
    _Eidji

  7. #7
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Posts
    709
    Rep Power
    1353

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Alguna vez escuché el témino "revolver el cuchillo en la herida" que sería más literal. Pero coincido que lo más usado en español es "meter el dedo en la llaga"

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Texas, USA
    Posts
    1,973
    Rep Power
    5020

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Santiago, the same phrase exists in U.S. English: "To turn the knife".
    vicente

  9. #9
    Moderator eidjit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Buenos Aires
    Posts
    460
    Rep Power
    1013

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Vicente, how would that phrase "To turn the knife" go in a conversation? Could you give an example?
    _Eidji

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Texas, USA
    Posts
    1,973
    Rep Power
    5020

    Default Re: What does mean "Rubbing salt in the wound"?

    Hello eidjit:

    "I was falsely accused of stealing and to turn the knife (in the wound), I had to make a public apology".

    This phrase is not as common as "to rub salt into the would" or "to rub it in" but the meaning is essentially the same.

    Another phrase with similar meaning is "to add insult to injury".

    EX: "To add insult to injury I had to apologize for something I didn't do."
    vicente

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-26-2017, 03:51 PM
  2. guión en español: "24-hour service" = "24-hora servicio"?
    By shikamoo in forum Spanish Language Topics
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-21-2017, 02:17 PM
  3. "Subeybaja", "Sube y baja", "Subibaja"
    By Salvadorm in forum Spanish Language Topics
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-10-2014, 04:56 PM
  4. "Srta. ¿Me traería un vasito de coca, por favor?" MANERAS DE DECIR "AZAFATA"
    By danielad in forum General Spanish to English Translation
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 06-26-2013, 09:39 AM
  5. Correct translation for the phrase "love life" and "hate death"?
    By Cjayrc in forum General English to Spanish Translation
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 03-31-2009, 09:31 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •