Add insult to injury meaning

Adding insult to injury means making a bad situation worse by doing something disrespectful.


Add insult to injury definitions

Word backwards dda tlusni ot yrujni
Part of speech The part of speech of the phrase "add insult to injury" is a verb phrase.
Syllabic division add in-sult to in-ju-ry
Plural The phrase "add insult to injury" is usually used in its singular form and does not have a specific plural form.
Total letters 17
Vogais (4) a,i,u,o
Consonants (8) d,n,s,l,t,j,r,y

Adding insult to injury is a common idiom that refers to making a bad situation even worse by saying or doing something that is hurtful or disrespectful after a negative event has already occurred. This phrase conveys the idea of intensifying someone's suffering or distress, compounding their already unfortunate circumstances.

The Origins of the Idiom

The origin of the phrase "add insult to injury" can be traced back to ancient Roman times. In Roman law, if someone was wronged or harmed, they could seek restitution or compensation for the injury. However, if the wrongdoer also insulted the victim, the penalty would be more severe. This concept of aggravating an injury by adding insult to it has persisted throughout history and is now commonly used in everyday language.

Examples of Adding Insult to Injury

There are many ways in which people can add insult to injury in various situations. For example, if someone loses their job and is already feeling down, being criticized for their performance on the way out would be adding insult to injury. Similarly, if a person is going through a breakup and their ex-partner starts dating someone new right away, it can feel like adding insult to injury.

Effects of Adding Insult to Injury

Adding insult to injury can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals. It can deepen feelings of sadness, anger, or resentment, making it harder for them to move on from the initial blow. Being kicked when you're already down can erode self-esteem and contribute to feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.

Overall, the expression "add insult to injury" captures the idea of compounding someone's suffering by making a bad situation even worse. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of how our words and actions can impact others, especially in times of vulnerability or distress.


Add insult to injury Examples

  1. After losing his job, his car broke down on the way home, adding insult to injury.
  2. She failed the exam and then her friends made fun of her, adding insult to injury.
  3. The customer received the wrong order and then was overcharged, adding insult to injury.
  4. He was already feeling sick when he realized he forgot his wallet at home, adding insult to injury.
  5. The team lost the game, and then their coach criticized their performance, adding insult to injury.
  6. She accidentally spilled coffee on her white shirt and then got caught in the rain, adding insult to injury.
  7. He missed his flight and then found out his luggage was lost, adding insult to injury.
  8. After getting a parking ticket, he returned to his car to find a flat tire, adding insult to injury.
  9. She forgot her umbrella on a rainy day and then slipped and fell on the wet pavement, adding insult to injury.
  10. They were already running late when they got stuck in traffic for hours, adding insult to injury.


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  • Updated 01/04/2024 - 16:37:46