[ US /ˈbækˌfaɪɹ/ ]
[ UK /bˈækfa‍ɪ‍ə/ ]
VERB
  1. set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
  2. come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
    Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble
    the political movie backlashed on the Democrats
  3. emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
    My old car backfires all the time
NOUN
  1. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
  2. a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
  3. the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
  4. a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
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How To Use backfire In A Sentence

  • Her schemes backfired on herself,and she lost her boyfriend forever.
  • He decided on a plan of action but it backfired horribly. Times, Sunday Times
  • Any spell with an incantation has the ability to backfire if even one word in the chant is pronounced wrong.
  • The way many estate plans are currently worded could cause them to backfire, either by triggering unnecessary state estate taxes or even accidentally disinheriting a surviving spouse. Does Your Trust Need a Tune-Up?
  • The new legislation which was intended to `soak up "the millions of them floating round the country has backfired in its purpose. A DAYSTAR OF FEAR
  • A slight backfire on starting could burn the engine off the wing!
  • Trying to make your partner jealous by flirting with other people can easily backfire on you.
  • Smearing a good woman for partisan, political advantage can be a deadly game that can easily backfire.
  • It's a gamble that can backfire badly. Times, Sunday Times
  • But the plan backfired when the driver couldn't get the flash car to start as they left the restaurant - leaving the couple at the mercy of the paparazzi.
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