stoke a fire

USAGE SUMMARY

'stoke a fire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to adding fuel or air to a fire in order to keep it burning. Example: Before going to bed, he always stokes the fire to keep it going throughout the night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By refusing to stoke a fire from which hotheads would benefit, the moral high ground was held in this case.The fact is that using the law to stop all extremists engaging in inflammatory incitements is impractical, if not impossible.

The Economist

Toronto is another story, however: In the last two years Weinstein used that festival to stoke a fire under both "The Artist" and "The King's Speech," each of which went on to win the top Oscar.

The New York Times

Robert stacked wood in the kiln and began to stoke a fire.

Huffington Post

"It's hard to imagine why that had to be raised except to purposely stoke a fire," McCartin said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was as if Martin had stoked a fire.

The New York Times - Sports

We staked our tents and began stoking a fire in an old fire pit.

The New York Times - Travel

Past a detachment of bodyguards, in the open kitchen of an adjacent farmhouse, guerrilla cooks stoked a fire to prepare the evening meal.

The New Yorker

In retaliation, the police said, Cantanhede was set upon by at least four of Abreu's friends, whose bleakest impulses were fueled by alcohol, drugs and a crowd that stoked the violence the way wind stokes a fire.

The New York Times - Sports

The others, all New Hampshire residents -- David Taylor of Littleton, Henry Sanders of Hancock and his brother Richard of Peterborough -- had arrived earlier, stoked a fire in the cabin's huge cast iron woodstove and gone in quest of deer.

The New York Times - Sports

They are building products that change the way we live, and at #BUILTBYGIRLS we're stoking a fire under tomorrow's founders.

Forbes

Again, you have to ditch the old mindset that a significant and multi-channel response just stokes a fire or brings it to the attention of people who hadn't heard it yet; your new goal should be that whichever network or channel a consumer or customer chooses to get information on the situation, they will see your response.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stoke a fire" when you want to emphasize the act of carefully and deliberately maintaining or intensifying something, whether it is a literal fire or a figurative concept like enthusiasm or conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "stoke a fire" in contexts where the intention is to extinguish or suppress something. The phrase implies active maintenance and intensification, not resolution or de-escalation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stoke a fire" is as a verb phrase, where "stoke" is the transitive verb and "a fire" is its direct object. Ludwig shows it in both literal and figurative contexts, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stoke a fire" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, according to Ludwig, with both literal and figurative applications. It means to tend to a fire to keep it burning or to intensify a situation or emotion. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles. While not extremely frequent, it is a valuable phrase to know for its descriptive power. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize maintaining or intensifying something, and avoid using it when you intend to suppress or resolve a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fuel the flames

Uses a different metaphor, focusing on providing fuel to an existing fire, implying intensification.

fan the flames

Emphasizes the act of increasing the intensity of something, often conflict or passion, through active intervention.

fan into flame

Similar to 'fan the flames' but often suggests bringing something from a small state into a larger, more prominent one.

feed the fire

Similar to 'fuel the flames', this highlights the act of providing sustenance to an existing fire, keeping it alive and strong.

stoke the embers

Implies reviving something that is dying or fading, bringing it back to life.

kindle a flame

Focuses on initiating or igniting a fire, rather than maintaining or intensifying an existing one.

inflame passions

Similar to 'ignite a passion', but with a stronger emphasis on intense emotions.

ignite a passion

Shifts the focus to a figurative fire, emphasizing the act of sparking enthusiasm or strong emotion.

stir up trouble

Moves away from the fire metaphor and focuses on instigating conflict or problems.

exacerbate a situation

Highlights the act of making a situation worse, intensifying negative aspects.

FAQs

How can "stoke a fire" be used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "stoke a fire" means to intensify or encourage something, such as emotions, conflicts, or enthusiasm. For example, someone might "stoke the fire" of controversy by making inflammatory statements.

What is a synonym for "stoke a fire" in a figurative sense?

In a figurative sense, synonyms for "stoke a fire" include "fuel the flames", "fan the flames", or "exacerbate the situation". These phrases imply intensifying something already present.

Is it appropriate to use "stoke a fire" in formal writing?

Yes, "stoke a fire" can be appropriate in formal writing, particularly when used metaphorically. However, consider your audience and ensure the figurative language aligns with the tone and purpose of your writing. More formal alternatives like "intensify" or "aggravate" might be preferable in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "stoke a fire" and "start a fire"?

"Stoke a fire" implies maintaining or intensifying an existing fire, while "start a fire" means to initiate one. Therefore, "stoke a fire" suggests adding fuel or air to keep it burning, whereas "start a fire" refers to the initial act of ignition.