backfire
verb (used without object)
(of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.
had backfired
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past perfectof backfire.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sources agreed the desperate lobbying effort had backfired on Capitol Hill.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2024
We looked toward the street, where an engine had backfired loudly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2023
They suggested not only that the outlandish proposal of April 2026 had backfired, but also that Lauro’s credibility with Chutkan is already damaged, an ominous position, before the litigation has even started in earnest.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 29, 2023
He made no reference to the fact that an energy-saving measure by the government had backfired.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 24, 2023
Seemed like Dad’s plan to show up Eugene Hammond had backfired on us all.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
