add fuel
Make flames bigger
To add fuel is to intensify or worsen a situation, almost always appearing in the phrase add fuel to the fire (or flames).
The image is literal—adding combustible material makes fire burn hotter.
Someone who escalates a conflict or inflames emotions adds fuel: His sarcastic response only added fuel to their argument.
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
- gasolineRefined petroleum vehicle fuel
- gas stationRetail fuel vendor
pour gasoline · exacerbate · make matters worse · wood · throw on · ignite · fire starter · incite · foment · oil · worsen · escalate · aggravate · egg on · kerosene · match · stir up · amplify
- fire idiomsplay with fire, fight fire with fire, fan the flames, on fire, catch fire
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- agitateagitate, stir, rouse, disturb, rile up
- escalationescalation, escalate, ratchet up, worsen, intensify
- mob attackswarm, mob, gang up, pile on, dogpile
intensity/escalation of situations
add fueldefuse
Render harmless
calm down · de-escalate · pacify · smooth over · temper
fuel, add, addition, added, adding, adds, additional, fuels, additive