add fuel to the fire/flames, to
add ˌfuel to the ˈfire/ˈflames
do or say something which makes a difficult situation worse, or makes somebody even more angry, etc: She was already furious and his apologies and excuses only added fuel to the flames. OPPOSITE: pour oil on troubled water(s)See also: add, fire, flame, fuel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
add fuel to the fire/flames, to
To exacerbate an already inflammatory situation, increasing anger or hostility. The Roman historian Livy used this turn of phrase (in Latin) nearly two thousand years ago, and it was repeated (in English) by numerous writers thereafter, among them John Milton (Samson Agonistes, 1671): “He’s gone, and who knows how he may report thy words by adding fuel to the flame.”
See also: add, fire, fuel
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- make an exhibition of
- make an exhibition of (oneself)
- make an exhibition of oneself
- make an exhibition of yourself
- exhibition
- difference
- make one's mouth water, to
- no
- hidden depths
- shifting sands