Is to make matters worse formal or informal?

It is neutral. You can use it in spoken English, news writing, and essays.

Can I use it at the start of a sentence?

Yes. It often starts a sentence when you add a bad extra detail.

What is the difference between to make matters worse and worse still?

Both show a bad extra point. To make matters worse is more common and more natural in everyday English.

← Dictionary

to-make-matters-worse

/tə meɪk ˈmæt.əz wɜːs/

IELTSAcademic

phrase

used to say that something adds to a bad situation and makes it even more serious or difficult.

The power cut, to make matters worse, lasted all night.
She missed the train and, to make matters worse, lost her phone.
He was late, and to make matters worse, it started raining.

Adinary Nuance

Use to make matters worse when a new problem makes an already bad situation worse. It is stronger and more natural than just saying also or in addition. It is close to what is worse, but this phrase is more common in spoken and written English. It often comes at the start of a sentence or after a comma.

In other languages

Vietnamese: làm tình hình tệ hơn
Spanish: empeorar la situación
Chinese: 使情况更糟
Japanese: 事態を悪化させる
Korean: 상황을 더 악화시키다

Etymology

This phrase is made from common English words and became a fixed expression over time. It has been used in modern English for a long time to introduce a worse detail.

Common phrases

to make matters worseand, to make matters worsewhat made matters worse

Synonyms

worsen aggravate compound

Related words

unfortunately worse problem setback

Frequently asked questions

Is to make matters worse formal or informal?: It is neutral. You can use it in spoken English, news writing, and essays.
Can I use it at the start of a sentence?: Yes. It often starts a sentence when you add a bad extra detail.
What is the difference between to make matters worse and worse still?: Both show a bad extra point. To make matters worse is more common and more natural in everyday English.