poured oil on flames

[vectra]

Hello,

Here is a sentence from my student's work:

- I also have a feeling that somebody is trying to put us out of business. People talk behind our back that there`s poor management and we`re going under. And the last audit poured oil on flames. Looks as if there`s someone behind this low-ball estimate of the company.

I have consulted answers.com, thefreedictionary.com, idiomquest.com and the English idiom & Idiomatic Expressions on this site and have come to the conclusion that the student just mixed up "to pour oil on troubled waters" with "add fuel to the flames". Am I right?

Thank you in advance.

 

[shroob]

Hello,

Here is a sentence from my student's work:

- I also have a feeling that somebody is trying to put us out of business. People talk behind our back that there`s poor management and we`re going under. And the last audit poured oil on flames. Looks as if there`s someone behind this low-ball estimate of the company.

I have consulted answers.com, thefreedictionary.com, idiomquest.com and the English idiom & Idiomatic Expressions on this site and have come to the conclusion that the student just mixed up "to pour oil on troubled waters" with "add fuel to the flames". Am I right?

Thank you in advance.

Not a teacher only a native.

If you 'pour oil on flames' you make a situation worse.

Your student might have combined the two sayings, but I have heard people say 'put oil on a fire' or words to that effect.