火上加油

huǒshàngjiāyóu
  1. to add oil to the fire (idiom); fig. to aggravate a situation
  2. to enrage people and make matters worse

CEDICT

to add fuel to the fire (to worsen a conflict)

Wiktionary

比喻使事态更加扩张或恶化。《官场现形记．第五回》：「三荷包也不睬他，把他气得越发火上加油了」。也作「火上添油」、「火上浇油」。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 火 huǒ
  1. fire
  2. urgent
  3. ammunition
  4. fiery or flaming
  5. internal heat (Chinese medicine)
  6. hot (popular)
  7. classifier for military units (old)
  8. Kangxi radical 86
2 上 shàng
  1. (bound form) up; upper; above; previous
  2. first (of multiple parts)
  3. to climb; to get onto; to go up
  4. to attend (class or university)
  5. (directional complement) up
  6. (noun suffix) on; above
3 加油 jiāyóu
  1. to add oil; to top up with gas; to refuel
  2. to accelerate; to step on the gas
  3. (fig.) to make an extra effort; to cheer sb on

Related entries

火上浇油 huǒshàngjiāoyóu
  1. to pour oil on the fire (idiom); fig. to aggravate a situation
  2. to enrage people and make matters worse