fans the flames
Escalates the situation
To fan the flames is to intensify a conflict, controversy, or strong emotion that already exists.
The image comes from using a fan or bellows to make a fire burn hotter.
Someone who fans the flames of discord makes a bad situation worse: His inflammatory speech only fanned the flames of the protest.
The phrase usually implies deliberate provocation rather than accident.
- aggravateMake more severe
- stirMix by circling
- stir the potDeliberately create or prolong conflict
- add fuelIncrease combustion supply
- inciteUrge toward action
pour gasoline · trigger · catalyze · antagonize · provoke · egg on · kindle · arouse · rile up · accelerate · enrage · energize · fire up · escalate · activate · exacerbate · heat up · amplify
fans the flamescalms down
Becomes less agitated
defuses · soothes · de-escalates · pacifies · dampens
fans the flamespours oil on troubled waters
Eases strife between parties
makes peace · reconciles · mediates · builds bridges · mends fences
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