Idioms

add fuel to the fire

This page is about the idiom add fuel to the fire

Meaning

If you add fuel to the fire, you do something to make a bad situation even worse.

For example

  • People are already unhappy, and if the government allows oil prices to increase it'll just be adding fuel to the fire.

  • If Billy's angry, don't say anything. You'll just be adding fuel to the fire.

Origin: Probably metaphorical, from the fact that adding a fuel, like petrol or wood, to a fire will make it burn brighter and hotter.

Quick Quiz

Our workers are already upset, and you'll just add fuel to the fire if you

a. give them a bonus

b. pay for their medical care

c. cut their wages
a) give them a bonus b) pay for their medical care c) cut their wages

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey