The word "添油加醋" is formed by combining two verb-object phrases: "添油" meaning "to add oil" and "加醋" meaning "to add vinegar", where 添 and 加 both mean "to add", while 油 is "oil" and 醋 is "vinegar"; these phrases are placed side-by-side to create a compound that literally describes adding condiments but is used idiomatically to signify exaggeration or embellishment.