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- pour gas/gasoline on the fire
pour gas/gasoline on the fire
pour gas/gasoline on the fire
To do or say something to make an argument, problem, or bad situation worse; to further incense an already angry person or group of people. The debate was going poorly for the senatorial candidate, and his strikingly uncouth comments simply poured gasoline on the fire. Revelations of the CEO's massive retirement package poured gas on the fire for consumers already furious over the charity's dubious financial dealings.