stoke the flames of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stoke the flames of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the escalation of conflict or violence, often metaphorically. Example: "The politician's inflammatory rhetoric only served to stoke the flames of war, making peace negotiations more difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The flames of war are not completely extinguished," she said.

The New Yorker

Just over two years ago, he secured for Kevin Garnett the richest contract in professional sports history -- a $126 million deal that helped stoke the flames of a labor war between players and owners.

The New York Times - Sports

Angola, for example, was under Soviet influence during the 1970s and 80s, a state of affairs that stoked the flames of civil war.

The Guardian - Arts

Step 1, withdraw troops from Iraq and give the good housekeeping seal to then PM Nuri al-Maliki - never mind that Mr. Maliki - an Iranian pawn single-handedly stoked the flames of sectarian war engulfing Iraq.

Huffington Post

Political operatives who use faith as a blunt partisan tool stoke the flames of America's culture wars and undermine common-ground efforts to address profound moral and political challenges.

The New Yorker

Omega to AEW would also stoke the flames of an AEW vs. WWE war, and it would put the promotions in competition for all of the top talents around the world.

Forbes

The new format was created this season to stoke the flames of rivalry that have cooled since the end of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union.

The New York Times - Sports

Are Coldplay hoping to stoke the flames of a celebrity feud by "doing an Oasis"?

The Guardian - Music

And his team seems more than willing to stoke the flames of a possible comeback and a dramatic return.

The New York Times - Sports

Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress.

The Guardian

Its leader, Volen Siderov, continues to stoke the flames of hatred against both the ethnic Turks and the Roma population.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more direct language if clarity is paramount, especially in formal or technical writing. Alternatives like "escalate the conflict" or "fuel the hostilities" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "stoke the flames of war" in contexts where the conflict is not significant or the escalation is minor. The phrase implies a serious and consequential intensification of hostilities. A situation as simple as a heated debate would be inappropriate. Consider alternatives like "aggravate the dispute".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stoke the flames of war" functions as a verb phrase with an idiomatic meaning. It describes actions or rhetoric that exacerbate or intensify a conflict, often implying a deliberate or reckless escalation. Ludwig AI confirms its common metaphorical use.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stoke the flames of war" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of intensifying or exacerbating a conflict. While grammatically correct, the phrase is currently not widely used in the Ludwig examples. Ludwig AI validates its metaphorical usage, this phrase is commonly found in neutral and formal contexts such as news reports. Related phrases include "fuel the conflict" and "escalate tensions". Use this phrase with caution, ensuring the context aligns with a serious escalation of hostilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fan the flames of war

Synonymous with "stoke the flames", but uses "fan" to emphasize spreading.

fuel the conflict

Replaces "stoke the flames" with "fuel", maintaining the metaphor of adding energy to a conflict.

ignite hostilities

Uses "ignite" instead of "stoke", focusing on the initiation of conflict.

exacerbate tensions

Shifts from the war metaphor to a more general description of increasing tension.

aggravate the conflict

Emphasizes the worsening of an existing conflict.

inflame the situation

Focuses on the intensity of the situation, suggesting a rapid escalation.

worsen the war

Directly states the negative impact on the war effort.

escalate the conflict

Highlights the increase in intensity or scale of the conflict.

encourage belligerence

Shifts focus to the encouragement of aggressive behavior.

promote discord

Emphasizes the creation of disagreement and disharmony.

FAQs

How can I use "stoke the flames of war" in a sentence?

You can use "stoke the flames of war" to describe actions or words that intensify conflict. For example: "The politician's speech seemed designed to stoke the flames of war."

What's a less figurative alternative to "stoke the flames of war"?

Alternatives include "escalate the conflict", "fuel the conflict", or "aggravate tensions".

In what context is it appropriate to use "stoke the flames of war"?

It's appropriate when discussing events or rhetoric that are actively making a conflict worse. It's particularly suitable when the increase in conflict could lead to violence or further aggression.

Is "stoke the flames of war" an overused expression?

While it's a common idiom, its effectiveness depends on the context. Overuse can diminish its impact, so consider synonyms if you find yourself using it frequently. Alternatives like "ignite hostilities" or "fan the flames of war" can provide a fresh perspective.