To add fuel to the fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To add fuel to the fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone makes a problem worse or intensifies a conflict. Example: "When she criticized his work in front of the team, it only added fuel to the fire of their ongoing disagreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"To add fuel to the fire, the book made roasting peppers seem really complicated.

The New Yorker

To add fuel to the fire, English Defence League members had appeared in solidarity with Sikhs to ask why the police weren't taking firm action.

The Guardian - Opinion

To add fuel to the fire, RIM sued Kik for patent infringement.

TechCrunch

To add fuel to the fire, DryShips paid an additional $105.0 million for the cancellation as well as an exclusive option to buy the ships for $160.0 million.

Forbes

To add fuel to the fire, RT's head of social media earlier suggested Twitter had encouraged the media outlet to run advertising around the election.

TechCrunch

To add fuel to the fire, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that sales of newly built single-family homes slowed in November.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

They will add fuel to the fire.

The New Yorker

It would only add fuel to the fire.

The New York Times

Well, this news should add fuel to the fire!

TechCrunch

That will just add fuel to the fire.

Huffington Post

These types of comments add fuel to the fire.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this idiom when you want to emphasize that an action or event made a bad situation significantly worse, often by escalating conflict or negativity. Be aware that overusing idioms can weaken your writing, so choose your moments wisely.

Common error

Ensure that the 'fuel' actually worsens the 'fire'. Avoid using the phrase if the action is merely related to the problem but doesn't intensify it directly. Using it when the problem resolves is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to add fuel to the fire" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving as a figurative way to describe an action or event that intensifies an existing problem or conflict. Ludwig examples show its typical use in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "to add fuel to the fire" is a common and effective way to describe actions that worsen already problematic situations. As Ludwig AI validates, this expression is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media contexts to emphasize the escalation of conflict or negativity. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the 'fuel' directly contributes to the 'fire', avoiding misuse in unrelated scenarios. By understanding its nuances and exploring related phrases like "exacerbate the situation" or "make matters worse", you can wield this idiom with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make matters worse

Common and straightforward way to express the idea.

Pour oil on the flames

Similar metaphor, highlighting the intensification of conflict.

Worsen the problem

Direct alternative with a neutral tone.

Fan the flames

Implies actively encouraging conflict or trouble.

Intensify the conflict

Focuses specifically on increasing the severity of a dispute.

Inflame the situation

Emphasizes the emotional intensity of the worsening problem.

Exacerbate the situation

Formal alternative, focusing on making a situation objectively worse.

Aggravate the problem

Similar to "exacerbate", but can also suggest annoyance.

Compound the issue

More formal, suggesting an increase in complexity of the problem.

Add insult to injury

While not directly intensifying a situation, it adds a further negative element to an already bad one.

FAQs

What does it mean to "add fuel to the fire"?

It means to make a bad situation even worse, often by saying or doing something that intensifies conflict or negativity.

How can I use "to add fuel to the fire" in a sentence?

For example, "His critical comments only "made matters worse" and "exacerbated the situation"." or "By constantly bringing up past mistakes, she was just "fanning the flames"".

Is there a similar idiom to "to add fuel to the fire"?

Yes, a similar idiom is "pour oil on the flames", which also means to make a situation worse.

When should I avoid using the phrase "to add fuel to the fire"?

Avoid using it when the action or event doesn't directly worsen the situation. If something is neutral or only tangentially related, this idiom is not appropriate.