[make] (matters|things) worse
1
to do something that makes an already bad situation worse
- He is making matters worse by refusing to compromise and find a middle ground.
- If you try to handle the situation on your own, you will only make matters worse.
- She always makes things worse by jumping to conclusions and not listening to others.
- The company made matters worse by laying off employees during a recession.
- They have made things worse by ignoring the warning signs and not taking action.