add fuel to fire

present singular third person adds fuel to fire · participle present adding fuel to fire · participle past added fuel to fire · past added fuel to fire

1. alternativeAlternative form of add fuel to the fire.

   We have no wish to add fuel to fire, and perhaps the whole circumstance of Pastorelle cutting such a very different figure to what she did on the first day was purely accidental.

   1867 October, “‘Our Van.’ The Invoice.—September Scrapings.”, in Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume XIV, number 92, London: A. H. Baily & Co., Cornhill, page 50

   1 more example

   Depend upon it, there is always a cause for want of appetite; […] inflammation may be in the system, food would then be improper, as it would only add fuel to fire: therefore, let the cause be an over-worked stomach, overloaded bowels, fever, or inflammation, food will be injurious.

   1859, Pye Henry Chavasse, Advice to a Mother on the Management of Her Offspring, 6th edition, London: John Churchill, New Burlington Street, page 97