threw gasoline on the fire
Made it worse
To throw gasoline on the fire is to make a bad situation dramatically worse, often through reckless words or actions.
The image is literal—adding fuel to flames that are already burning.
Someone who intervenes in an argument only to inflame it further has thrown gasoline on the fire: His apology was so defensive it just threw gasoline on the fire.
Also appears as pour or add gasoline/gas/fuel on/to the fire/flames.
- provocationAct that triggers response
- fan the flamesDeliberately worsen a dispute
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- igniteStart burning something
- instigationAct of provoking action
consequence · wildfire · outrage · repercussion · incitement · domino effect · amplification · kindling · smoldering · powder keg · catalyst · escalation · backlash · aggravation · spark · add fuel · chain reaction · frustration
threw gasoline on the firede-escalated
Lessened conflict intensity
put out the fire · kept the peace · poured oil on troubled waters · built bridges · mediated
thrown, throws, throwing, thrower, gaseous, gasoline, gasolines