add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
Instead of apologizing to his girlfriend, he decided to add fuel to the fire.
ADJ
clean, smokeless, unleaded | fossil, nuclear, solid | domestic, household | aviation
spent
After the reactor shut down, workers carefully stored the spent fuel in cooling pools.
VERB + FUEL
burn, run on, use
The old heating system uses fuel oil to keep the house warm during winter.
burn sth as, use sth as
Many households use wood as fuel during the cold winter months.
save, waste | process, reprocess
FUEL + NOUN
bill, costs, prices
consumption
Modern electric vehicles are designed to reduce fuel consumption compared to traditional gasoline engines.
economy, efficiency
Modern cars are designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
pump, tank