add fuel to the fire

1. 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.

Example Sentences

And the technological revolution could add fuel to the fire of economic weakness that is already putting pressure on hiring, the analysts added.

Read more on MarketWatch

She said National Guard troops would “only add fuel to the fire.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Every time leaders make and amplify these false and dangerous connections, they add fuel to the fire of harassment, discrimination and violence faced by trans communities.

Read more on Salon

"Misbehaviour and bad manners by some tourists" have added fuel to the fire, creating an impression of a "big foreign problem", he adds.

Read more on BBC

If you do that it just adds fuel to the fire and I wasn't willing to accept that.

Read more on BBC