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REFERENCE

pour gasoline on the fire

idiom
Meaning

Synonym of add fuel to the fire.


Examples
SIMPLE

Don't argue with him, you will only pour gasoline on the fire.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager tried to calm the angry customer, but his rude comments only poured gasoline on the fire.

COMPLEX

By publicly criticizing the protesters instead of listening to their concerns, the mayor effectively poured gasoline on the fire of the growing social unrest.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    add fuel to the fire

    To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.

  2. 02

    ball of fire

    A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.

  3. 03

    catch fire

    To become engulfed in flames, to combust.

  4. 04

    draw fire

    To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.

  5. 05

    escape fire

    An unconventional or counterintuitive solution to a difficult problem.

  6. 06

    feed the fire

    Synonym of add fuel to the fire.

  7. 07

    fight fire with fire

    To respond to an attack with a similar or identical counter-attack (e.g. to respond to gunfire with reciprocal gunfire).

  8. 08

    fire drill

    Any pointless, unproductive, useless, or chaotic activity.

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