fanned the fire
Made it bigger
Fanned the fire means to intensify something, especially a conflict or strong emotion.
The literal image is using a fan or bellows to make flames burn hotter by adding oxygen.
The figurative use dominates: His comments only fanned the fire of public outrage.
You can also fan the flames with the same meaning.
- embersSmoldering fire remnants
- smokeAirborne combustion byproduct
- blazeIntense burning fire
- kindlingMaterial for starting fires
- flameBurning gas made visible
instigation · heat · provocation · agitation · escalation · outrage · bellows · firestorm · stirred the pot · glow · conflict · discord · ash · coals · stoke · whip up · enrage · passion
conflict/situation escalation
fanned the firede-escalated
Lessened conflict intensity
made peace · buried the hatchet · poured oil on troubled waters · soothed · placated
fanned, fanning, fire, fires, fired, firing, fireman, firemen, fireplace