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add fuel to the fire

British pronunciation/ˈad fjˈuːəl tə ðə fˈaɪə/
American pronunciation/ˈæd fjˈuːəl tə ðə fˈaɪɚ/
to add fuel to the fire
[PHRASE]
1

to intensify a disagreement or argument

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to [add] fuel to the fire definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "add fuel to the fire" and when to use it?

The idiom "add fuel to the fire" is believed to have originated in the medieval era when people would use fire as a means of heating and cooking. The phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is making a bad situation worse by doing or saying something that exacerbates the problem. The idiom implies that the person is intensifying or increasing the severity of the problem or conflict.

Examples
1If you confront him, he will add fuel to the fire by getting defensive.
2To add fuel to the fire, both groups also had some serious backup in the form of gangs willing to protect their side’s interests with violent diligence.
3The hardest test ever The choices you have to make in this video will show how good your survival skills are That means you got to be even more attentive and thoughtful than usual so wake up No take a deep breath, and let's see how well you do Elevator escape So you're stuck on the top floor of a skyscraper to add fuel to the fire Now it's not burning this building is about to be demolished There's not a single soul around to help you out.
4To add fuel to the fire, Jack Ruby would die four years later from a pulmonary embolism in the same hospital where Oswald died and President Kennedy was pronounced dead.
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