fan the flames

USAGE SUMMARY

'fan the flames' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to deliberately increasing the intensity of a situation, particularly a negative one. For example: "The politicians have been engaged in a verbal battle for weeks, and their recent inflammatory comments have only served to fan the flames."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You don't try to fan the flames.

The New York Times

But others on both sides will fan the flames.

The New York Times

Walls can also fan the flames of old tensions.

The Washington Post

"That is only going to fan the flames," Myers predicts.

The Guardian

"What we shouldn't do is fan the flames of division.

The Guardian

The internet helped fan the flames of the protest.

The Guardian

And the city's reputations, deserved or not, fan the flames.

The New York Times

Newspapers, TV and radio often fan the flames.

The Guardian

Sister Maria Kisito brought dried leaves to fan the flames.

The New York Times

For environmentalists to fan the flames of fear of nuclear power seems reckless and anti-scientific.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Fan the Flame" May 1-3 will focus on growth and sustainability for small churches.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fan the flames" when you want to emphasize that someone's actions are making a bad situation even worse. It implies a deliberate or negligent contribution to the escalation of a conflict or problem.

Common error

Avoid using "fan the flames" when you simply mean to describe a problem getting worse on its own. The phrase implies an external influence actively intensifying the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fan the flames" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe actions that exacerbate or intensify an existing negative situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its role in depicting the deliberate worsening of circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fan the flames" is a widely used expression that describes actions that worsen an already negative situation. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and usable in English. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, and less so in formal academic writing. When using "fan the flames", ensure you are accurately conveying the idea of an action actively intensifying a pre-existing problem. Be mindful of the nuance to avoid misapplication. Alternatives such as "add fuel to the fire" or "exacerbate the problem" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

add fuel to the fire

This alternative uses a slightly different metaphor to convey the same meaning of intensifying a negative situation.

pour gasoline on the fire

Similar to "add fuel to the fire", this phrase emphasizes the rapid and potentially destructive escalation of a situation.

stoke the fire

This suggests a deliberate effort to keep a negative situation active and intense.

aggravate the situation

Focuses on making an already bad situation worse, without the fire metaphor.

exacerbate the problem

A more formal way of saying "make the problem worse".

intensify the conflict

This phrase emphasizes the escalation of conflict.

inflame passions

This highlights the emotional aspect of worsening a situation, specifically related to strong feelings.

worsen the crisis

This phrase directly states the act of making a crisis more severe.

heighten tensions

Focuses on increasing the level of stress or strain in a relationship or situation.

stir up trouble

Suggests actively creating or increasing problems or conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "fan the flames" in a sentence?

You can use "fan the flames" to describe actions that worsen an existing problem or conflict. For example, "The media's sensational reporting only served to "fan the flames" of public anxiety".

What does it mean to "fan the flames"?

To "fan the flames" means to intensify an already difficult situation or negative sentiment, making it worse or more volatile. It suggests adding to an existing problem, similar to adding fuel to a fire.

Are there any synonyms for "fan the flames"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "add fuel to the fire", "stoke the fire", or "exacerbate the problem" as alternatives to "fan the flames".

Is it appropriate to use "fan the flames" in formal writing?

While "fan the flames" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be more suitable for informal or journalistic writing. In formal academic or business contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "aggravate the situation" or "intensify the conflict".