Fuel and fire

Somebody must have added fuel to that fire, pic: © Gonzobrum | Dreamstime.com

Here is another useful expression that is pretty obvious once you start thinking about it – and is good to know: “add fuel to the fire”.

The expression means to make a bad problem even worse, to say or do something that makes a bad situation worse or to make an angry person get even angrier. Just like pouring fuel into a fire in the misguided attempt to douse the flames will only result in bigger flames.

Making a bad situation worse by adding fuel is general unintentional.

The expression is appropriate in personal and business context.  Here are some usage examples for the phrase:

“He tried to calm or down but his words added only fuel to the fire.”

“Don’t add fuel to the fire by getting involved in that fight.”