# 抱薪救火

bào xīn jiù huǒ

Worsen a problem through the supposed remedy

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Carry firewood to fight a fire

**Register:** Cautionary · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Criticize an action that feeds the difficulty.

More specific than a simply ineffective solution.

## Understanding the expression

Firewood strengthens a fire instead of putting it out. The expression describes an attempted remedy that supplies exactly what the problem needs to grow. It applies to angry responses that deepen conflict, borrowing that enlarges debt, or measures that encourage the behavior they oppose. The intention may be helpful, but the mechanism is wrong. Look at what the action actually adds rather than only the goal it announces.

## Examples

用辱骂制止争吵是抱薪救火。

### Traditional Chinese

用辱罵制止爭吵是抱薪救火。

yòng rǔ mà zhì zhǐ zhēng chǎo shì bào xīn jiù huǒ 。

Using insults to stop an argument only fuels it.

不停借钱还利息，像抱薪救火。

### Traditional Chinese

不停借錢還利息，像抱薪救火。

bù tíng jiè qián hái lì xī ， xiàng bào xīn jiù huǒ 。

Borrowing endlessly to pay interest worsens the problem.

删除质疑可能抱薪救火。

### Traditional Chinese

刪除質疑可能抱薪救火。

shān chú zhì yí kě néng bào xīn jiù huǒ 。

Deleting criticism may intensify the controversy.

她劝他冷静，别抱薪救火。

### Traditional Chinese

她勸他冷靜，別抱薪救火。

tā quàn tā lěng jìng ， bié bào xīn jiù huǒ 。

She urged him to stay calm and not worsen matters.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%8A%B1%E8%96%AA%E6%95%91%E7%81%AB)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=154&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [背道而驰 bèi dào ér chí Move in the opposite direction to a goal ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bei-dao-er-chi)

- [杯水车薪 bēi shuǐ chē xīn An effort far too small for the need ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bei-shui-che-xin)

- [本末倒置 běn mò dào zhì Confuse what is essential with what is secondary ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ben-mo-dao-zhi)

- [闭门造车 bì mén zào chē Work in isolation from actual needs ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bi-men-zao-che)

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