fan the flames (of something)
idiomPart offlame
fan the flames (of something) — idiom
1. to make an unpleasant feeling, situation, or conflict even worse than it already
1.idiom
Definition
to make an unpleasant feeling, situation, or conflict even worse than it already is
Example
The politician's careless comments fanned the flames of public anger.
Spreading gossip about the argument only fanned the flames further.