Add Fuel to the Fire

Also used:
add fuel to the flames
throw fuel on the fire
pour gasoline on the fire
pour fuel on the fire
fuel the fire
fuel the flames

Meaning of Idiom ‘Add Fuel to the Fire’

To add fuel to the fire means to make a bad situation worse; to do something that increases anger or hostility; to make a conflict become worse.

This idiom usually refers to making an offensive or divisive comment that further angers a person or group of people. ¹,²,³

See the similar idiom add insult to injury.

Sentence Examples

“The entire community is up in arms and the mayor’s crass comments only added fuel to the fire.”

“The aggressive police response during the riots only added fuel to the fire.”

“No one speaks to the press until we understand what happened. Let’s not fuel the fire with speculation.”

“Just when things were at their worst, he added fuel to the fire by doubling down on his comments about immigrants.”

“The last time you were here, all you did was belittle me, why add fuel to the fire?” — Perception: Neuropositive (2013)

“Watch your tone. Less combative. Don’t add fuel to the fire. Just because a private moment has been made public doesn’t give us the right to pass judgment.” — Scandal: The State of the Union (2014)

“The judge instructed them to disregard. The jury can’t ignore what they heard. And when the appellate judges hear it, it’ll add fuel to Schumars fire.” — Law & Order: Breeder (1994)

“If Gaitskell insists on responding to the Prime Minister’s broadcast tomorrow, it will only fuel the flames.” — The Hour: Episode #1.5 (2011)

“We have enough race troubles as it is without these sons of bitches in the press throwing fuel on the fire.” — Red Tails (2012)

Origin

This idiom originates from very old knowledge about the nature of fire, that if you add more fuel to flames, the fire will intensify. And, a fire can easily burn out of control. This knowledge of fire is easily extended to human situations, as people have long understood that you can exacerbate an already volatile situation by saying or doing the wrong thing.

Therefore, many similar idioms have existed throughout history, and ‘add fuel to the fire’ has been known since Roman times. Livy used it in his history of Rome, for example.