The phrase "twists the knife wound" is often used to describe a situation where someone intentionally aggravates an emotional or physical injury. Synonyms for this phrase might include "rubbing salt in the wound," "adding insult to injury," or "pouring gasoline on the fire." Other similar phrases might include "making things worse," "adding to the pain," or "making a bad situation even more unbearable." Ultimately, any phrase that conveys the sense of worsening an already difficult situation could be seen as a synonym for "twists the knife wound." Whether we are talking about emotional or physical pain, it is never pleasant to have someone exacerbate the situation through their words or actions.