pour oil on
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In March 2025, he said his Milan show aimed to pour oil on the troubled waters of global politics.
From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025
We do not pour oil on the fire.
From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023
“This is not the time to pour oil on the flame, but to put our heads together to come up with a way to put out the fire and safeguard peace,” she said.
From Washington Times • Feb. 24, 2022
US special envoy on climate change, John Kerry, went out of his way to pour oil on troubled waters when speaking at the IEA event.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2021
The old manufacturer always did his best to pour oil on these troubled waters, but he foresaw an eventual clash.
From Jennie Gerhardt A Novel by Dreiser, Theodore
