火(ひ)に油(あぶら)を注(そそ)ぐ

ひにあぶらをそそぐ
expression
to add fuel to the fire
idiom
1. to add fuel to the fire
To make an already bad situation, especially someone's anger or a dispute, even worse.
火(ひ)に油(あぶら)を注(そそ)ぐな。
Don't add fuel to the fire.
彼(かれ)の謝罪(しゃざい)は逆(ぎゃく)に火(ひ)に油(あぶら)を注(そそ)いだ。
His apology only added fuel to the fire.
怒(おこ)っている人(ひと)に言(い)い訳(わけ)をすると、火(ひ)に油(あぶら)を注(そそ)ぐことになる。
Making excuses to someone who is angry just adds fuel to the fire.

Usage

Often as 火(ひ)に油(あぶら)を注(そそ)ぐ結果(けっか)になる or 〜ことになる. Common about online backlash (炎上(えんじょう)) and quarrels.

Watch out

注(そそ)ぐ here is read そそぐ, not つぐ. Unlike 拍車(はくしゃ)をかける, which speeds up a trend, this idiom is about inflaming anger or conflict.

general
Added 2026.10.5 10:58 · Revised 2026.10.5 10:59
31500/31603_hiniaburawososogu