Significado
To make a bad situation worse, to inflame emotions, or escalate a conflict.
Contexto cultural
In the Levant, people might say 'عم تزيدها' (You are increasing it) alongside this idiom. The use of 'gasoline' (بنزين) is very common in urban areas to show how fast things are escalating. Egyptians often use 'بيولعها' (He's lighting it up) to describe someone who pours oil on the fire. It's used heavily in Egyptian cinema to describe the 'troublemaker' character. In the Gulf, the concept of 'Fitna' (strife) is very serious. This idiom is often used as a moral warning to maintain social harmony and 'Majlis' etiquette. While the Fusha version is understood, local dialects might use 'يشعل العافية' (Lighting the fire) to express the same sentiment of provocation.
Use it for 'Trolls'
This is the perfect idiom to describe internet trolls who post inflammatory comments just to get a reaction.
Don't use for accidents
Remember, this idiom implies a level of provocation. Don't use it for someone who makes a clumsy mistake that has no emotional heat.
Significado
To make a bad situation worse, to inflame emotions, or escalate a conflict.
Use it for 'Trolls'
This is the perfect idiom to describe internet trolls who post inflammatory comments just to get a reaction.
Don't use for accidents
Remember, this idiom implies a level of provocation. Don't use it for someone who makes a clumsy mistake that has no emotional heat.
The 'Gasoline' Upgrade
If you want to sound very native and emphasize that the situation exploded instantly, use 'يصب البنزين' (pouring gasoline) instead of 'oil'.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
بدلاً من تهدئة الموقف، قام بصب ____ على النار.
The idiom specifically uses 'الزيت' (oil) to represent fueling the flame.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
أي جملة تعبر عن 'صب الزيت على النار'؟
Reminding someone of an old mistake during a fight escalates the conflict, which is the definition of the idiom.
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form (Present Tense for 'He').
هو دائماً ____ الزيت على النار عندما نتحدث عن السياسة.
The verb 'صب' in the present tense for 'he' is 'يصب' (yusubbu).
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate response.
أحمد: 'سأخبر المدير أن سارة هي من أخطأت!' ليلى: 'لا تفعل ذلك! أنت فقط ____.'
Reporting Sarah to the manager would make the situation worse, fitting the idiom.
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Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosبدلاً من تهدئة الموقف، قام بصب ____ على النار.
The idiom specifically uses 'الزيت' (oil) to represent fueling the flame.
أي جملة تعبر عن 'صب الزيت على النار'؟
Reminding someone of an old mistake during a fight escalates the conflict, which is the definition of the idiom.
هو دائماً ____ الزيت على النار عندما نتحدث عن السياسة.
The verb 'صب' in the present tense for 'he' is 'يصب' (yusubbu).
أحمد: 'سأخبر المدير أن سارة هي من أخطأت!' ليلى: 'لا تفعل ذلك! أنت فقط ____.'
Reporting Sarah to the manager would make the situation worse, fitting the idiom.
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Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's not rude, but it is critical. You are accusing someone of making a situation worse. Use it carefully in professional settings.
No. It is exclusively for negative escalation. You wouldn't 'pour oil on the fire' of someone's happiness.
'Oil on fire' is for conflict and anger. 'Mud wetter' is for any bad situation (like being late and then losing your keys).
In the past: هم صبّوا (Sabbū). In the present: هم يصبّون (Yusubbūn).
Yes, it is universally understood across the Arab world, though the pronunciation of 'zayt' and 'nar' might vary slightly.
While logical, it's not a standard idiom. You would more likely say 'يهدئ النفوس' (calming the souls) or 'يطفئ الفتنة' (extinguishing the strife).
In the past, yes, but today 'zayt' is generic. It just represents any flammable oil.
Yes, if you are describing a conflict you managed: 'I made sure not to pour oil on the fire and instead focused on the solution.'
The root is S-B-B (ص ب ب), which relates to pouring or flowing.
Not specifically, but the concept of avoiding 'Fitna' (strife) is a major theme in Islamic ethics, which reinforces the idiom's usage.
Frases relacionadas
يزيد الطين بلة
similarTo make a bad situation worse (literally: making the mud wetter).
يُذكي النار
synonymTo fan the flames.
يهدئ الأوضاع
contrastTo calm the situation down.
يصطاد في الماء العكر
builds onTo fish in troubled waters.
