throw gasoline on the fire
Inflame an argument
To throw gasoline on the fire is to make a bad situation dramatically worse, especially by adding inflammatory words or actions to an already tense conflict: His sarcastic apology just threw gasoline on the fire.
The image is of accelerant turning a manageable blaze into an inferno.
Also appears as pour gasoline on the fire.
- add fuel to the fireWorsen an already tense situation
- provokeIncite a response
- inflameIntensify emotion or irritation
- fan the flamesDeliberately worsen a dispute
- turn up the heatIntensify effort or coercion
anger · aggravate · exacerbate · stir the pot · push someone's buttons · incite · antagonize · escalate · heighten · worsen · make matters worse · blow up in your face · outrage · amplify · enrage · rile up · agitation · tension
throw gasoline on the firecalm the waters
pour oil on troubled waters · build bridges · make peace · mediate · dial it back
throw gasoline on the firenip it in the bud
put out fires · smooth over · patch things up · mend fences · take the edge off
throw gasoline on the firede-escalate
Reduce intensity of conflict
put out the fire · dial it back · tone it down · walk it back · back off