fan the flames
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
In court documents, Drake claimed that Universal knew that Lamar's lyrics were false but "continued to fan the flames" of the controversy for profit.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2025
“The problem ... is that you can fan the flames of hatred,” Hall said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
We hurried through the gate so we wouldn’t be late to Mr. Nossik’s class and fan the flames of hatred for all things Cade Hernandez so early in our week of freedom.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
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.
