English phrase from drama scenes

Ways to Say "to make matters" in English

Learn useful ways to say "to make matters" in English with drama examples and natural alternatives.

Intermediate
Neutral
Firm
Complain

To make matters worse, the FBI and Steve are hot on our trail.

It introduces an added problem and means someone is actively chasing or tracking you.

From The Phoenix Conspiracy, Episode 18

When do people say this?

Scene Context

The speaker says the situation is getting worse because powerful people are tracking them.

Usage Scenario

Use to describe a bad situation getting worse, especially in action or investigation stories. The second part is idiomatic and not for very formal writing.

Better ways to say it

1
To make matters worse, they're hot on our trail.
2
The FBI is hot on our trail.
3
Things just got worse.

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Ways to Say "to make matters" in English - ReelFluent