backfire

[ bak-fahyuhr ]
See synonyms for backfire on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),back·fired, back·fir·ing.
  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.

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

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.

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

Origin of backfire

1
An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; back2 + fire

Other words for backfire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use backfire in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for backfire

backfire

/ (ˌbækˈfaɪə) /


verb(intr)
  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

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

noun
  1. (in an internal-combustion engine)

    • an explosion of unburnt gases in the exhaust system

    • 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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012