backfire

American  

[bak-fahy^uhr] / ˈbækˌfaɪər /

verb (used without object)

backfired, backfiring

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

Etymology

Origin of backfire

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

Example Sentences

Greek authorities have strongly opposed vaccination, arguing that the antibodies they create can backfire by giving false signals of infection.

From Barron's

The author argues that Bovino’s inflammatory rhetoric and theatrical enforcement style backfired, with his unsubstantiated claim that slain ICU nurse Alex Pretti wanted to “massacre law enforcement” particularly damaging public perception of immigration enforcement efforts.

From Los Angeles Times

But that strategy has dramatically backfired, propelling the aging franchise closer to the brink of the point of no return.

From Los Angeles Times

In Silicon Valley, tech pros and amateurs are competing to see how many tasks they can outsource to AI without things backfiring.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seemed like Dad’s plan to show up Eugene Hammond had backfired on us all.

From Literature

Related Words

• fail
• flop