MEANING
To make an existing conflict, problem, or bad situation even worse.
Use it for
making an argument worse; intensifying an existing dispute; worsening a tense situation; giving people more reason to be angry or suspiciousIdentifies an intervention that strengthens an already harmful process or disagreement. Writing functions: Worsening a conflict. Semantic categories (by meaning): Conflict; Escalation; Consequences. Contexts: General conversation; Creative prose.
On the page
The minister’s dismissive answer only added fuel to the fire.
Repeating the rumor would add fuel to the fire, so she kept quiet.
Word forms
- Base
- add fuel to the fire
Usage notes
Inflect add: adds fuel to the fire; added fuel to the fire; adding fuel to the fire. Fuel is uncountable here; flames is an established alternative. Register: neutral. Commonness: common (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.