backfire

American  

[bak-fahy^uhr] / ˈbækˌfaɪər /

verb (used without object)

backfires, present (3rd person singular) backfired, past participle, past backfiring present participle

1. (of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.

2. to bring a result opposite to that which was planned or expected.

   The plot backfired.

   Synonyms:

   bomb, flop, boomerang, miscarry

3. to start a fire deliberately in order to check a forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area in advance of it.

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noun

1. (in an internal-combustion engine) premature ignition of fuel in the intake manifold.

2. an explosion coming out of the breech of a firearm.

3. a fire started intentionally to check the advance of a forest or prairie fire.

backfire British  

/ ˌbækˈfaɪə /

verb

1. (of an internal-combustion engine) to emit a loud noise as a result of an explosion in the inlet manifold or exhaust system

2. (of an endeavour, plan, etc) to have an unwanted effect on its perpetrator

   his plans backfired on him

3. to start a controlled fire in order to halt an advancing forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area

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noun

1. 1. an explosion of unburnt gases in the exhaust system

   2. a premature explosion in a cylinder or inlet manifold

2. a controlled fire started to create a barren area that will halt an advancing forest or prairie fire

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has backfired
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have backfired
  perfect
• are backfiring
  progressive
• is backfiring
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am backfiring
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been backfiring
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been backfiring
  perfect progressive
• backfires
  singular 3rd person
• backfiring
  participle

Past

• had backfired
  perfect
• was backfiring
  progressive singular
• had been backfiring
  perfect progressive
• were backfiring
  progressive plural
• backfired
  simple
• backfired
  participle

Future

• will backfire
  simple
• will have backfired
  perfect
• will have been backfiring
  perfect progressive
• will be backfiring
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of backfire

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; back ² + fire

Explanation

Use the word backfire when you talk about the sound a car makes when a small explosion in its exhaust system pops — sometimes as loudly as a gunshot. Hearing a car's backfire can make you jump, because it makes a sharp, shot-like sound. A backfire is usually caused by unburned fuel, and it can be accompanied by a burst of flame and a brief loss of power in the vehicle, as well as a fairly loud noise. The word comes from an American English term that originally referred to a fire deliberately set to slow the progress of a prairie or forest fire.

Related Words

• fail
• flop