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View synonyms for add fuel to the fire

add fuel to the fire



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Idioms and Phrases

Also, add fuel to the flames . Worsen an already bad situation, as by increasing anger, hostility, or passion, as in Bill was upset, and your making fun of his mishap just added fuel to the fire . This metaphor dates from Roman times—Livy used it in his history of Rome—and it remains in common use. For similar metaphors, see add insult to injury ; fan the flames .

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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