Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,898,820,559 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

add fuel to the fire

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia 0.01 sec.
add fuel to the fire and add fuel to the flame
Fig. to make a problem worse; to say or do something that makes a bad situation worse; to make an angry person get even angrier. (Alludes to causing a flame to grow larger someone or something to move forward when fuel is added.) Shouting at a crying child just adds fuel to the fire.
See also: add, fire, fuel

add fuel to the fire/flames
to make an argument or a bad situation worse His mild words only added fuel to the fire. Isabelle was furious.
See also: add, fire, fuel

add fuel to the fire
to make a situation worse than it already is Should the government warn the public of terrorist threats, or is this merely adding fuel to the fire?
See also: add, fire, fuel


Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Feedback
References in periodicals archive?   Idioms browser?   Full browser?
COMPANIES are being asked to add fuel to the fire and make sure Sandwell's municipal Bonfire Night celebration goes with a bang.
To add fuel to the fire, I just received your most recent issue and no mention was made of Bocca's retirement with American Ballet Theatre after 20 years of superb dancing and acting.
Byline: IAN COYNE LUTON'S clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Kenilworth Road tonight could add fuel to the fire of those eager to sound the death knell of high-scoring football.
 
 
 
Idioms and phrases
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Advertise with Us | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.