add fuel to fire
Intensify the situation
To add fuel to fire is to worsen an already tense or volatile situation, the way adding combustible material intensifies flames.
The phrase often appears with "the" as add fuel to the fire: His defensive response only added fuel to the fire.
Sometimes rendered as "add fuel to the flames."
- igniteStart burning something
- build upGrow by increments
- increaseGrowth in amount
- agitateDisturb or provoke
- sparkTiny fiery particle
infuriate · stoke · aggravate · heat · burn · provoke · exacerbate · fan the flames · inflame · catalyze · blow up · stir up · stir the pot · chain reaction · gasoline · antagonize · tinder · kindling
- fire idiomsfan the flames, spread like wildfire, go up in flames, go up in smoke, up in smoke
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
add fuel to fireput out the fire
Eliminate active flames
de-escalate · tamp down · dial it back · defuse · calm the waters
add fuel to firemake peace
Resolve conflict between parties
reconcile · mediate · resolve · build bridges · bury the hatchet
added, adding, addition, additional, additionally, additive, fuel, fuels, fueled