火上添油 huǒ shàng tiān yóu

DEFINITIONS

  1. add fuel to the fire; worsen an already difficult situation

CHARACTERS

火 huǒ
HSK 2
fire, flame; burn; anger, rage
上 shàng
HSK 1
top; superior, highest; go up, send up
添 tiān
HSK 6
append, add to; increase
油 yóu
HSK 4
oil, fat, grease, lard; paints