Meaning & use
fanning the flames
Last updated
“fanning the flames” is a form of “fan the flames”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
Making a conflict, emotion, or problem stronger or more intense, often by saying or doing something provocative.
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the subject is usually a person or action. It can be followed by 'of' to specify what is being made worse: 'fanning the flames of discontent'.
Patterns
- fanning the flames of something
- be accused of fanning the flames
His comments on social media were accused of fanning the flames of hatred.
The new tax proposal is fanning the flames of public anger.
phraseidiom
Literally making a fire burn more strongly by waving something to increase the air supply.
Grammar: Used literally when talking about fire; less common than the figurative use.
Patterns
- fanning the flames
- fan the flames with something
They were fanning the flames with a piece of cardboard to get the campfire going.
Fanning the flames helped the fire spread quickly.
Word forms
| base form | fan the flames |
|---|---|
| past tense | fanned the flames |
| past participle | fanned the flames |
| third person singular | fans the flames |
Common combinations
- fanning the flames of something
- The article was criticized for fanning the flames of racism.
- accused of fanning the flames
- The politician was accused of fanning the flames of division.
- fanning the flames of discontent
- Poor working conditions are fanning the flames of discontent among staff.
Synonyms and how they differ
- adding fuel to the fire
- Very similar in meaning, but often used when someone makes a bad situation worse by adding more problems or anger.
- stirring up
- Means causing trouble or strong feelings, but it does not always imply making an existing conflict stronger.
- inflaming
- More formal and stronger; often used for emotions or situations, but can also mean causing physical swelling.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: fanning the flames or fanning the fire?
fanning the flames vs fanning the fire
Not a common idiom; the standard expression is 'fanning the flames' or 'adding fuel to the fire'.
Practice
The newspaper published an article that made the protests even more intense. What is the best way to describe this?
Choose one answer.
The idiom is 'fanning the flames', meaning making a conflict or emotion stronger. 'Fanning the fire' is not the usual expression, and the other options change the idiom incorrectly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fanning the flames”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.