fan the flame
Intensify the conflict
To fan the flame is to intensify an emotion, conflict, or situation that's already smoldering.
The image is literal—moving air makes fire burn hotter.
Someone who fans the flames of controversy stokes it rather than letting it die down: His comments only fanned the flames of the debate.
Often plural: fan the flames.
- enkindleCause to burn
- arouseTo stimulate or excite
- inciteUrge toward action
- provokeIncite a response
- igniteStart burning something
stir up · stir the pot · escalate · galvanize · intensify · instigate · smolder · stimulate · aggravate · whet · foment · conflagration · fuel · spark · spur · egg on · awaken · fire up
fan the flameput out the fire
Eliminate active flames
extinguish · dampen · quench · defuse · tamp down
fan the flamepour oil on troubled waters
Calm a tense situation
make peace · reconcile · pacify · placate · calm the waters
fanned, fanning, fans, flame, flames, flamed, flaming, flamer, flambe