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its from Tamil

This metaphor dates from Roman times--Livy used it in his history of Rome--and it remains in common use.

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Q: Where did the idiom add fuel to the fire originate?
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How do you use the idiom 'Add fuel to the fire' in a sentence?

You are in enough trouble as it is, so don't add fuel to the fire by saying that to her.


What is the literal meaning of add more fuel to the fire?

It means to exacerbate a problem or make it bigger. Just like pouring literal gasoline/petrol on a fire makes it bigger, retaliation, insults, hurtful words, or violence usually makes personal problems bigger and escalates whatever dispute. If you add fuel to the fire, you make it bigger -- thus, you're making a bad situation worse. Literally, it means to add wood, flammable liquids, or other combustibles to a fire. Figuratively, the phrase "add fuel to the fire" means to take a tense or bad situation and make it worse. It means you exacerbate a problem. For example, if a married couple were fighting, it would be considered "adding fuel to the fire" for a third party to accuse one of them of cheating without proof. Or, if someone is insulting you and you insult them back, that is an example of adding fuel to a fire.


Is there another idiom for the last straw?

Yes, there is another idiom for 'the last straw'. You could use 'the straw that broke the camels' back'. It basically means that you are no longer willing to accept a certain situation and demand change.


What is the meaning of the phrase 'add insult to injury'?

Adding insult to injury means to make a bad situation worse. It can be where circumstances further hurt the feelings of someone who has been hurt already, or where an already bad situation has even further unfortunate consequences. Example : "My garage was burned up in a fire, and to add insult to injury, a fire truck sideswiped my new car in the driveway.


What is the meaning of the idiom 'in a larger sense'?

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Related questions

How do you use the idiom 'Add fuel to the fire' in a sentence?

You are in enough trouble as it is, so don't add fuel to the fire by saying that to her.


Is 'add fule to the fire' an idiom?

The correct idiom is "add fuel to the fire," which means to worsen a situation or make a conflict stronger by adding more tension or hostility. It is used to describe actions that exacerbate an already difficult or delicate situation.


What is an example sentence using the idiom 'add fuel to the fire?

Don't add fuel to the fire by calling him racist names after you plow into his bumper.First you pick his prize roses and then you add fuel to the fire by letting your dog pee on his grass.The candidate added fuel to the fire by making negative comments in his speech.


Where did the idiom add insult to injury originate?

This isn't an idiom - it means exactly what it says.To add: (verb) to join something to something elseInsult: to speak to or treat with disrespectful scorn and abuseInjury: harmThe phrase means that someone has further abused someone who is already harmed by something.


What is the literal meaning of add more fuel to the fire?

It means to exacerbate a problem or make it bigger. Just like pouring literal gasoline/petrol on a fire makes it bigger, retaliation, insults, hurtful words, or violence usually makes personal problems bigger and escalates whatever dispute. If you add fuel to the fire, you make it bigger -- thus, you're making a bad situation worse. Literally, it means to add wood, flammable liquids, or other combustibles to a fire. Figuratively, the phrase "add fuel to the fire" means to take a tense or bad situation and make it worse. It means you exacerbate a problem. For example, if a married couple were fighting, it would be considered "adding fuel to the fire" for a third party to accuse one of them of cheating without proof. Or, if someone is insulting you and you insult them back, that is an example of adding fuel to a fire.


What hapens when you add oxgen to fire?

Fire is a chemical reaction where the fuel substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and a new substance. Normal atmosphere has about 20% oxygen, so if you add oxygen to an already burning fire, the fuel is able to react more quickly, because of the extra available oxygen. The fire will get bigger and burn hotter.


How does butter put out a fire?

Do not use butter to put out a fire, any fire, ever. Butter will add fuel to any fire. If you are near butter, you should be near salt. Salt will put out a small fire.


What happens if you combine fuel and oxygen?

Nothing happens if you combine a fuel and oxygen. However, if you then add a source of energy such as a spark of sufficient power, you get a fire, or, in an enclosed space, an explosion.


1997 s-10 will not start.cranks will fire if fuel is add intake.replace fuel pump today.?

Replace the fuel filter also. Check fuses. Check fuel pump relay inside glove box (first relay from the left).


Between World War 1 and World War 2 how did it add fuel the the burning fire?

if you are talking about the flamethowers there were sacks of fuel on the belts or on the side of the flamethower planes ,tanks, and people on the gorund had flamethowers


When does using an idiom add value to your writing?

Idioms are used to add flavor to your writing, and to make a passage more vivid and memorable.


What is an example sentence using the idiom 'add insult to injury?

Don't add insult to injury by threatening a lawsuit.To add insult to injury, they fired most of the workers after the merger.First they acquired the property on a technicality then they added insult to injury by turning it into a garish dump that lowered the property values for everyone around them.