Antonyms for "putting match to" could be extinguishing, calming, soothing, or pacifying. To extinguish means to put out or stop a fire, which is the opposite of starting one. Calming, soothing, and pacifying all refer to ways of reducing or preventing excitement, tension, or anger, and do not involve adding fuel to the fire. Instead, they promote peace, tranquility, and relaxation. These antonyms can remind us of the importance of avoiding unnecessary conflicts and working towards peaceful solutions. It's always better to extinguish the flames of anger and put out the matches to prevent escalation and unnecessary harm.