Phrase guide

twist the knife

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To deliberately do or say something to worsen a difficult situation or increase a person's distress, irritation, or anger.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Derived from the fact that the act of literally twisting a knife that is still inside someone who has just been stabbed will widen the wound and make it even more painful.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: vääntää veistä haavassa — Translations
  • French: remuer le couteau dans la plaie — Translations
  • Italian: girare il coltello nella piaga — Translations
  • Polish: pogarszać — Translations
  • Polish: pogarszyć — Translations
  • Spanish: hacer sangre — Translations