reopen old wounds

phrase

: to cause people to think of things from the past that make them sad, angry, etc.
Telling that story will only reopen old wounds.

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Cite this Entry

“Reopen old wounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reopen%20old%20wounds. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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