Advertisement
Advertisement
backfire
[bak-fahyuhr]
verb (used without object)
(of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.
to bring a result opposite to that which was planned or expected.
The plot backfired.
to start a fire deliberately in order to check a forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area in advance of it.
backfire
/ ˌbækˈfaɪə /
verb
(of an internal-combustion engine) to emit a loud noise as a result of an explosion in the inlet manifold or exhaust system
(of an endeavour, plan, etc) to have an unwanted effect on its perpetrator
his plans backfired on him
to start a controlled fire in order to halt an advancing forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area
noun
an explosion of unburnt gases in the exhaust system
a premature explosion in a cylinder or inlet manifold
a controlled fire started to create a barren area that will halt an advancing forest or prairie fire
Word History and Origins
Example Sentences
U.S. and European Union sanctions on Russian producers have “injected a new layer of uncertainty into supply forecasts, and the group knows that overproducing now could backfire later.”
Security hawks warn that the deals could backfire given the U.A.E.’s close ties to China and worry about offshoring critical infrastructure.
Instead, the outrage among the penthouse set appears to have backfired, motivating people who have to work for their rent money to spend weekends knocking on doors and registering voters.
But leaning too heavily on T-bills can backfire if short-term rates would have to rise materially.
But leaning too heavily on T-bills can backfire if short-term rates would have to rise materially.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse
