fan the flames
IdiomsExample Sentences
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Winds and continued heat are still helping to fan the flames with some tourists reporting smelling acrid smoke like a "bonfire" far outside the affected areas.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
While urging restraint, Cepeda called on his rival not to fan the flames.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
Others worry capping withdrawals will upset investors and fan the flames, so they paid out as much as 15%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
“The problem ... is that you can fan the flames of hatred,” Hall said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
He knew it would just fan the flames.
From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
