Wiktionary
vb. (context idiomatic English) To intensify something; to worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances.
Usage examples of "fan the flames".
I don't care to fan the flames of any feuds Ely may be carrying on.
The more the organic specimens hated, the stronger (*) grew, and the stronger it became, the better it could fan the flames of the conflict, toying with the minds and matter below it to yield ever greater rewards.
The more the organic specimens hated, the stronger (*) grew, and the stronger it became, the better it could fan the flames of the conflict, toying with the minds and matter below it to yield ever greater levels of homicidal mania for it to dine upon.
He conjured Fire across the still Water, plucked a hair from his head to represent the Earth from which he was made, and blew the Air of his own breath to fan the flames.
We were going to fan the flames, make it look like they were killing one another and stealing each other's plunder.
He would still deny it to himself, and hope he had heard wrongZyperis meant to fan the flames of hope and uncertainty for many days yet, before dashing those hopes forever.
Such action was calculated to inflame our relationship -- to fan the flames instead of helping to extinguish them.
With only a little spark to fan the flames, men might be driven on.
Still, four or five shots on the same area should do the trick, the subsequent beams providing more ignition sources and a slight wafting of air through the growth to fan the flames.
This time, she let it fan the flames of her burning lust for vengeance.