twist the knife (in the wound)
US /twɪst ðə naɪf ɪn ðə wuːnd/
UK /twɪst ðə naɪf ɪn ðə wuːnd/
1.
to make a bad situation even worse for someone, especially by reminding them of their failures or weaknesses
:
•
After he lost the game, his opponent decided to twist the knife by mocking his performance.
•
She already felt terrible about her mistake, so his sarcastic comment just twisted the knife.