What does it mean to "pour oil on fire"?

The phraseology "pour oil on the fire" is familiar to everyone, and everyone at least once in his life pronounced this phrase. The meaning of the expression is understandable, but we will still talk about this and dig into its semantics.

"Add fuel to fire": value

The utterance is expressed by any actions that aggravate the existing situation, intensify the negative negative mood, exacerbate the heated feelings.

And people can do this and not specifically. This is unintentional. More often, of course, it is used to self-assert at the expense of others, achieving their goals, walking on their heads.

Let us give an example

Suppose the head of the sales department reports for the poorly executed work of a subordinate, and the colleague of the same link leads arguments that are heated by a colleague. In this case, he aggravates the situation by "giving heat" to a heightened dialogue. Thus, traveling at the expense of this situation.

After pouring oil into the fire, it will inflame more, hence the essence of phraseology.

Historical fact

It turns out that the phraseology "pour oil into the fire" is rooted in ancient Rome. Ancient Roman historian Titus Livius used this expression in his writings. The poet Horace also used it in works. In the English dictionary there is a similar phrase "add fuel to the fire." Expression exists more than two thousand years, therefore it can be met in different languages in this or that interpretation.

Thus, it can be seen that this phraseological revolution was used in its works by ancient famous poets and writers, historians. The phrase is able to decorate the literary style and give speech artistic expressiveness. It is used in a figurative sense.

And finally, a piece of advice: do not add fuel to the fire

Do not add a negative. Often close people can ask you for help. And here it is very important to observe delicacy and subordination. If you give in to heat, it will not help to cope with stress. This will lead to deeper depression. Let's say a girlfriend broke up with a guy. Her tears and experiences make you angry and irritated. Of course, she is depressed. And it's silly to be angry with her in this situation and call for prudence or to speak out negatively about a guy. This will only aggravate the already difficult situation.

From the above examples, you can see that the phrase "pour oil into the fire" has an analogue - the identical established phraseology "to heat up (steam)." There are other synonyms: "podzadorit", "strengthen", "increase".

Thus, these phraseological units are synonymous, but have different colors. The first speech turnover is used when it is necessary to express more clearly and expressively a negative assessment of the current situation, to reflect a dramatic attitude to what is happening. The phrase "to heat up" also strengthens the action, only has a more approving, positive connotation.