火上浇油
- Literal
- on the fire pour oil
- Figurative
- To add fuel to the fire: to make anger, a conflict or an already bad situation worse by word or deed; unlike 雪上加霜, someone is doing the damage.
Where does 火上浇油 come from?
It does not come from a particular anecdote; the image speaks for itself. 火上 means "on the fire" and 浇油 "to pour oil," the act that makes a flame already burning leap even higher. From there it came to describe someone who, with a word or an action, makes an existing quarrel or bout of anger worse. It usually carries a negative judgment and points to someone responsible, which sets it apart from 雪上加霜, where one misfortune piles onto another without anyone needing to cause it. It is common both in everyday speech and in the press.
How is 火上浇油 used? Two examples
- 他正在气头上，你再说这种话就是火上浇油。
He's furious right now; saying something like that will only add fuel to the fire.
- 产品出了问题，公司的回应反而火上浇油，顾客更生气了。
The product had problems, and the company's response only poured oil on the flames; customers got even angrier.
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