feed the fire
Synonym of add fuel to the fire.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Do not argue with him, or you will only feed the fire.”
“The manager knew that criticizing the team's performance during the meeting would only feed the fire of their growing frustration.”
“By publicly questioning the leader's motives, the journalist inadvertently fed the fire of the political scandal, ensuring the controversy would dominate the news cycle for weeks.”
- 01
add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- 02
ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- 03
bite the hand that feeds one
To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).
- 04
catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust.
- 05
chicken feed
A very small or insignificant quantity, especially of money.
- 06
draw fire
To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.
- 07
escape fire
An unconventional or counterintuitive solution to a difficult problem.
- 08
feed off
To get stimulus from (an external object).
Last updated August 10, 2026