Add insult to injury
Meaning
To worsen an already bad or painful situation by doing something further that is disrespectful, offensive, or adds to the suffering.
Origin
The enduring phrase "Add insult to injury" springs directly from the timeless wisdom of Aesop's Fables, specifically the tale of "The Bald Man and the Fly." In this ancient narrative, a persistent fly repeatedly torments a bald man by biting his head. In a fit of annoyance, the man attempts to swat the fly, only to miss and deliver a stinging blow to his own scalp—the injury. Seizing this moment, the fly then taunts the man, observing that he has now injured himself in trying to get rid of a mere insect—the insult. This vivid, two-part suffering—a physical hurt followed by a humiliating jab—perfectly captures the essence of worsening an already painful situation with a demeaning remark or act.
Examples
- The team was already down by ten points, and then the referee gave them a penalty for something they didn't do, just adding insult to injury.
- After losing her job, her former boss called her to say he'd found someone better, which really added insult to injury.