The fat hit the fire

Definition & Meaning of "the fat [hit] the fire"

the fat hit the fire

used to describe a situation that was already bad has suddenly become worse

What is the origin of the idiom "the fat hit the fire" and when to use it?

The idiom "the fat hit the fire" is an expression used to describe a situation where a problem or conflict intensifies or becomes more serious. It conveys the idea that a previously manageable or contained issue has now escalated and reached a critical point. The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the imagery of fat dripping onto a fire, which causes a sudden burst of flames and increased intensity.

Example

Mary thought her argument with her friend was just a minor disagreement, but when she discovered her friend had been spreading rumors about her, the fat hit the fire, and their friendship was irreparably damaged.

The fat hit the fire, and they had to make significant budget cuts to stay afloat.

The fat hit the fire, and public outrage grew exponentially.

The team was already struggling, but when their star player got injured right before the championship game, the fat hit the fire, and their chances of winning diminished significantly.