FANNED FLAMES Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "fanned flames" refers to the act of igniting or intensifying a conflict, controversy, or negative situation by deliberately provoking or exacerbating it. The term "fan" in this context alludes to the action of blowing air onto a fire to make it burn more vigorously. Similar to the way a handheld fan is used to feed oxygen to a weak flame, the idiom indicates the deliberate act of adding fuel to the fire, thus propelling it to grow bigger and intensify.
This expression is commonly used metaphorically to describe a person or group's intentional efforts to escalate tension or promote hostility. When someone fans flames, they contribute to the spread of dissent, anger, and resentment, often by exaggerating or selectively presenting information that is likely to provoke strong emotions. By doing so, they aim to incite further division, promote antagonism, or manipulate public perception for their own benefit. The act of fanning flames typically occurs in various domains, including politics, social media, media reporting, and personal relationships.
In essence, "fanning flames" is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes the action of deliberately exacerbating or intensifying a contentious or negative situation for personal or strategic gain. It implies that the individual or group involved is igniting or stoking conflict instead of attempting to extinguish it, ultimately amplifying the negative effects and perpetuating discord.
Common Misspellings for FANNED FLAMES
- fanned flamms
- fanned flamas
- fanned flamgs
- fanned flame3
- fanned flamec
- fanned flameq
- fanned flamer
- fannedflambes
- f anned flames
- fa nned flames
- fan ned flames
- fann ed flames
- fanne d flames
- fanned f lames
- fanned fl ames
- fanned fla mes
- fanned flam es
- fanned flame s
Etymology of FANNED FLAMES
The etymology of the phrase "fanned flames" can be broken down into its individual parts: "fanned" and "flames".The word "fanned" is the past participle of the verb "fan", which derives from the Old English word "fann". This Old English term traces its origins back to the Proto-Germanic word "fanną" and is related to the Old High German word "fannōn" and the Dutch word "wan" (meaning "to winnow" or "to fan").The term "flames" can be traced back to the Middle English word "flamme", which was borrowed from the Old French word "flamme", itself derived from the Latin word "flamma". This Latin word originally meant "flame" or "blaze" and is thought to be onomatopoeic in origin, imitating the sound or appearance of fire.
