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compound the problem

[KOM-pownd thuh PROM-lem]
verb phrase
agravar o problema
1. to make a problem worse or more serious by adding to it or taking action that increases its severity
His refusal to apologize only compounded the problem.
A recusa dele em se desculpar apenas agravou o problema.
2. to create additional difficulties on top of an existing problem
The lack of funding compounded the problem of staff shortages.
A falta de financiamento agravou o problema da escassez de pessoal.
NYC Slang
make it worse; screw things up more
Synonyms
worsen the situationmake matters worseexacerbate the problemadd to the difficultyintensify the problem
Antonyms
alleviate the problemmitigate the issueimprove the situationresolve the problem

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
agravar o problema
most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
piorar a situação
alternative common expression
Rio de Janeiro
complicar ainda mais
informal variant
Portugal
agravar o problema
standard usage, same as Brazilian Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

add insult to injury
pour oil on troubled waters (antonym)
add fuel to the fire
pile it on
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