added fuel to the fire
Made it worse
To add fuel to the fire is to worsen an already tense or volatile situation, typically through words or actions that inflame rather than calm: His sarcastic apology only added fuel to the fire.
The image is of making a fire burn hotter and more dangerously by feeding it.
Also *added fuel to the flames*.
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- stir the potDeliberately create or prolong conflict
- provocationAct that triggers response
- poke the bearAntagonize a powerful adversary
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
fury · confrontation · incitement · frustration · chain reaction · catalyst · escalation · raise the stakes · hostility · domino effect · ripple effect · fan the flames · retaliation · dispute · quarrel · rock the boat · amplification · stir up trouble
provocation vs. pacification
added fuel to the firepoured oil on troubled waters
Eased a tense situation
made peace · de-escalated · put out the fire · buried the hatchet · built bridges