[
US
/ˈbækˌfaɪɹ/
]
[ UK /bˈækfaɪə/ ]
[ UK /bˈækfaɪə/ ]
VERB
- set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
-
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 -
emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
My old car backfires all the time
NOUN
- a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
- a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
- the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
- a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
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.