echar leña al fuego
- Dictionary
USAGE NOTE
This idiom may be literally translated as "to throw firewood into the fire" and may also be written "meter leña al fuego."
echar leña al fuego(
eh
-
chahr
leh
-
nyah
ahl
fweh
-
goh
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (idiom) (to make a bad situation worse)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
a. to add fuel to the fire (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
Hubo disturbios en las calles por las acusaciones de amaño en las elecciones, y la imposición de un toque de queda le echó más leña al fuego.There were riots in the streets following allegations of a rigged election, and the imposition of a curfew added fuel to the fire.
b. to add fuel to the flames (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
De nada sirve criticar a los jefes en estos momentos. No deberíamos echar más leña al fuego. La situación ya es de por sí muy mala.It's no use criticizing the bosses right now. We shouldn't add more fuel to the flames. The situation is bad enough as it is.
c. to fan the flames (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
La decisión de imponer aranceles no hizo más que echar más leña al fuego de la hostilidad entre los dos países.The decision to impose tariffs merely fanned the flames of hostility between the two countries.
d. to fan the fire (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
La muerte del muchacho por disparos de la policía le echó leña al fuego de la tensión racial.The death of the boy from police gunshots fanned the fire of racial tensions.
e. to make things worse
Jorge se lleva muy mal con su mamá. Si le cuentas que lo viste bebiendo y fumando, no harás más que echar leña al fuego.Jorge doesn't get along with his mom. If you tell her you saw him drinking and smoking, you'll only make things worse.
Examples
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