making matters worse

A form of make matters worse — To worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting rashly, foolishly, or incompetently.

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Meanings

verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of make matters worse
Cite this entry
APA

making matters worse. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/making%20matters%20worse

MLA

“making matters worse.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/making%20matters%20worse. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “making matters worse,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/making%20matters%20worse.

Source: making matters worse on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.