To make matters worse

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. To make matters worse meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "To make matters worse"

Meaning

To make matters worse is an idiom used when a bad situation is further complicated by the addition of another unfavorable circumstance. In other words, a person might use this expression when an already challenging situation becomes even more difficult. It is a way of expressing that a complex situation just became much more challenging.

Etymology

The phrase “to make matters worse” is from 1550s, from Middle English expression "worse to here." There is also evidence for a related expression from the same era, “to make worse worse”. The exact etymology of the phrase is unknown, although its usage has been tied to other phrases that denote the same meaning. The phrase is likely derived from the concept of “making a bad situation worse”.

Usage

The idiom “to make matters worse” is generally used when discussing a difficult situation that has just been complicated further. It can also be used to describe a situation that has become more difficult due to the addition of more difficulties or obstacles. It is most commonly used in casual conversation, such as in stories or anecdotes, as well as in more formal contexts such as news reports. In all these contexts, the phrase is used to emphasize the newly added difficulties.

Example Sentences

• The car broke down on the highway, and to make matters worse, it began to rain heavily.
• She was already stressed out with her studies, and to make matters worse, her computer crashed.
• The city was already struggling economically, but to make matters worse, the unemployment rate rose significantly.

The power of idioms transcends languages!

"Putting the cart before the horse" is an English idiom that means doing things in the wrong order. In Russian, the similar idiom is "Кладёт колесо впереди лошади," which translates to "Putting the cart before the horse." This idiom emphasizes the idea that doing things in the wrong order can lead to confusion and problems down the line.