backfire
bak fahyr
- n the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
- n a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
- n a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
- n a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
- v come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble - v emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
My old car backfires all the time - v set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
- This year's most significant Nazi propaganda trial abruptly backfired last week.
- Would the move backfire? While many families of MIA combatants felt betrayed, the White House knew that the bulk of Americans would approve.
- If so, swift-boating could backfire.