add fuel to the fire Definition

fuel
noun

1. Any material that releases energy when it is burned, which can be used as a source of heat or power.
2. Fissile material that is used to release energy by nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor.
3. Food, as a source of energy and a means of maintaining bodily processes.

Thesaurus: food, fodder, means, nourishment.
4. Something that feeds or inflames passions, etc.

Thesaurus: encouragement, incitement, provocation.

verb fuelled, fuelling

1. To fill or feed with fuel.
intr
2. To take on or get fuel.
3. To inflame (anger or other passions).

Thesaurus: fire, feed, sustain, inflame, charge, nourish, incite, fan, encourage, stoke up.

Derivative: fueller
noun

Idiom: add fuel to the fire

To make an angry person, situation, etc angrier; to make a heated discussion more heated, etc.

Etymology: 14c: from French feuaile, from Latin focus hearth.