make matters worse

present singular third person makes matters worse · participle present making matters worse · participle past made matters worse · past made matters worse

1. idiomaticTo worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting rashly, foolishly, or incompetently.

   His resentful attitude only made matters worse during the custody proceedings.

   1 more example

   The mistake came about when there seemed to be little danger as Dicko swung in an innocuous cross, but the keeper somehow spilled the ball for Henry to head into an empty net. To make matters worse his error came in front of Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager.

   2015 August 16, Press Association, “Wolves rescue point against Hull thanks to Allan McGregor howler”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: add fuel to the fire, add insult to injury, cap it all off, fan the flames, throw gasoline on the fire, With malice, hit someone when they are down, kick a dog when it's down