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

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.

From Salon

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

Thomas’ visceral, crystalline prose only adds fuel to the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

It keeps adding fuel to the fire for the Lions - 'you can kick us when we're down, we can have guys out there who you don't know, but it doesn't matter.

From BBC