fo2 soeng6 gaa1 jau4火上加油

Jyutpingfo2 soeng6 gaa1 jau4

Yalefó seuhng gā yàuh

語句Uncommon

Definition

To pour oil on the fire; to make a bad situation even worse.

colloquialemotiondescriptions

How it's used

Focus on the active nature of this idiom, as it implies a deliberate or careless action that adds fuel to an existing conflict or problem. It is frequently used when someone intervenes in an argument or makes a critical comment that pushes an already tense situation over the edge. Unlike simply describing a situation as getting worse, this highlights the role of an external catalyst.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋ji5已ging1經hou2好nau1嬲，nei5你zung6仲heoi3去fo2火soeng6上gaa1加jau2油？

They are already very angry, are you really going to make it worse?

le1呢gin2件si6事ji5已ging1經gau3夠faan4煩，nei5你m4唔hou2好zoi3再fo2火soeng6上gaa1加jau4油laa1啦。

This matter is already annoying enough, please don't make it any worse.

Common phrases

gaan2簡zik6直hai6係fo2火soeng6上gaa1加jau4油

simply adding fuel to the fire

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe inanimate processes that worsen naturally, such as a storm getting stronger or a wound getting infected. It specifically requires an agent or a secondary action that actively intensifies the existing trouble.