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to make matters worse — used to introduce an additional problem or difficulty that makes a bad situation even worse

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: used to introduce an additional problem or difficulty that makes a bad situation even worse

Pronunciation (IPA): /tuː meɪk ˈmætərz wɜːrs/

Example Sentences

  • My phone died during the exam, and to make matters worse, I forgot my watch so I couldn't check the time.
  • The cake collapsed in the oven, and to make matters worse, my mother-in-law arrived early to try it.
  • Traffic was already terrible, and to make matters worse, they closed the main highway for construction.

to make matters worse

NOUN

[/tuː meɪk ˈmætərz wɜːrs/]

used to introduce an additional problem or difficulty that makes a bad situation even worse

an office worker frantically tries to clean up spilled coffee from important documents on her desk. The coffee has already soaked through several papers and is dripping onto her laptop keyboard. Just as she reaches for paper towels, her phone starts ringing loudly and more papers fall off the desk onto the wet floor. Her coworkers notice the commotion and look over with concerned expressions while she struggles to handle multiple problems at once. how additional problems make an already bad situation even worse
💡 Concept

an office worker frantically tries to clean up spilled coffee from important documents on her desk. The coffee has already soaked through several papers and is dripping onto her laptop keyboard. Just as she reaches for paper towels, her phone starts ringing loudly and more papers fall off the desk onto the wet floor. Her coworkers notice the commotion and look over with concerned expressions while she struggles to handle multiple problems at once. how additional problems make an already bad situation even worse

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/tuː meɪk ˈmætərz wɜːrs/
🇬🇧 UK/tuː meɪk ˈmætəz wɜːs/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This English idiom has been used since the 16th century. The word 'matter' derives from Latin 'materia' (material substance, subject of concern), which evolved to denote situations or problems in English.

Breakdown

make (to cause) + matters (problems, issues) + worse (in a more negative or unfavorable manner). The phrase combines the verb 'make' with the noun 'matters' and the comparative adjective 'worse' to express the idea of exacerbating an already difficult situation.

🎵Rhyme

cursenursepurseverse
curse
nurse
purse
verse

🔗Collocations

to make matters worse for someone
what makes matters worse
just to make matters worse
as if to make matters worse
to make matters even worse

📝Examples

“My phone died during the exam, and to make matters worse, I forgot my watch so I couldn't check the time.”

😄 Fun example

“The cake collapsed in the oven, and to make matters worse, my mother-in-law arrived early to try it.”

“Traffic was already terrible, and to make matters worse, they closed the main highway for construction.”

😄 Fun example

“I spilled coffee on my shirt before the interview, and to make matters worse, it was my only clean shirt.”

📚Related Words

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