MEME REFERENCE

pouring gas on fire

Use when making an already bad conflict or failure substantially worse

What it expresses: The action intensifies an existing negative situation through additional harm
Example: Two teammates are already arguing, and a third forwards an insulting old message into the thread; label that intervention as gasoline.
When not to use it: A mediator lowers the temperature and clarifies the misunderstanding; productive de-escalation does not feed the fire.