- Meaning
- This idiom describes deliberately or carelessly intensifying feelings of jealousy, resentment, or rivalry, as if fanning smoldering embers to ignite a destructive fire of envy. It conveys the act of stoking negative emotions to provoke conflict or gain advantage, often used in social, workplace, or personal contexts to critique manipulative or divisive behavior. The phrase carries a tone of disapproval, intrigue, or caution, reflecting cultural wariness of envy’s destructive power and the human tendency to exploit others’ insecurities. It resonates in scenarios of social maneuvering or toxic competition, capturing the heat of stirred passions, and its fiery imagery adds a layer of smoldering menace, evoking a blaze born of malice. The idiom often warns against divisive tactics, making it a provocative metaphor for the dangers of fueling destructive emotions.
- Origin
- The phrase likely emerged in 19th-century Britain, inspired by Victorian social dynamics where envy drove class tensions, and fanning embers symbolized escalation, as noted in etiquette guides. Its earliest recorded use appears in an 1843 *The Times* novel review, describing a character ‘fanning the embers of envy’ to ruin a rival. The idiom gained traction in the Victorian era, reflecting fascination with social intrigue, as seen in Anthony Trollope’s *The Way We Live Now* (1875), which explores envy. Its use grew in 20th-century British and American English, particularly in psychological and workplace contexts, amplified by media like *The New York Times* during the 1950s’ corporate rivalries. The phrase’s adoption in Commonwealth English came through British influence, and its spread was fueled by its vivid imagery, evoking a growing fire, and its applicability to manipulation, ensuring its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from office politics to family feuds.
- Variants
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- Fanning the Embers of Envy
- Fan the Embers of Envy
- Stoking the Embers of Envy
- Embers of Envy Fanned
- Examples
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- She’s fanning the embers of envy, boasting to spark jealousy among peers.
- Fan the embers of envy, and you’ll turn the team against each other.
- Stoking the embers of envy, he flaunted his bonus to rile colleagues.
- Embers of envy fanned, her comments deepened the family rift.
- Fanning the embers of envy, they pitted the candidates against one another.
- Stoke the embers of envy, and you’ll create a toxic workplace.
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