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العربية
زَادَ الطّين بِلّةً — meaning in English: It made matters worse
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Guess the translation for
to make things worse
فيما عَدا ذَلِك
زَوْجيّ
zawjiyy
عامّة
استَقبَلَ
زَادَ الطّين بِلّةً
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informal
common
Usage
Native speakers often use the phrase زَادَ الطّين بِلّةً in situations where a problem has escalated or worsened, particularly in discussions about personal troubles, social issues, or political matters. For instance, during a conversation about escalating tensions in a community, one might say this phrase to express that a recent decision or action has exacerbated the situation.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is زاد الطين بلّة (zaad al-tin bil-lah), which has a similar meaning but is less commonly used in everyday conversation. You might choose زَادَ الطّين بِلّةً when you want to emphasize the increase in difficulty or challenge resulting from a specific action, while other expressions may not capture that nuance.
Culture
The phrase زَادَ الطّين بِلّةً literally translates to 'added mud to the clay,' evoking imagery of a sculptor working with clay who unknowingly complicates their art by introducing more mud. This metaphor reflects a universal human experience—making a situation worse despite good intentions. This expression is rooted in the rich tradition of Arabic proverbs, which often use vivid imagery to convey complex ideas.
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