愈演愈烈

yùyǎnyùliè

idiom HSK 7 #22,312

Meanings

1 to intensify
2 to grow more and more intense
3 to escalate

Characters

more; increasingly

to develop; to evolve

more; increasingly

intense; fierce

Examples

两国之间的冲突愈演愈烈。

Liǎng guó zhījiān de chōngtū yùyǎnyùliè.

The conflict between the two countries is intensifying.

如果不及时处理，问题会愈演愈烈。

Rúguǒ bù jíshí chǔlǐ, wèntí huì yùyǎnyùliè.

If not dealt with promptly, the problem will escalate.

Tips

usage

愈演愈烈 almost always describes negative situations — conflicts, crises, problems getting worse. Rarely used for positive developments.

Stroke Order

愈 yù

演 yǎn

烈 liè