fan the flames of

 

[ Origin ]

Taken literally, this idiom means to blow air (oxygen) onto the fire to increase the intensity of the flames. Just as the wind makes forest fires worse. It was used by Dickens in the mid-1800s in The Old Curiosity Shop.

 

[ Examples ]

1. The pandemic has fanned the flames of hate among communities.
2. She had fancied Karl for ages, and when he smiled at her, he fanned the flames even more.
3. I believe the political leader is fanning the flames of racial unrest.

 

[ Study more ]

• go down in flames 파멸하다

• add fuel to the fire/flame 불난데 부채질

• go up in smoke/flames (계획, 희망)연기처럼 사라지다, 수포로 돌아가다