back-fire

A controlled back-fire burns a strip of grassland to stop a larger wildfire.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A premature explosion in an engine: "backfire" refers to an explosion in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine that occurs before the piston reaches the proper position, often causing a loud noise.
   • A controlled fire set to stop a wildfire: "backfire" also means a fire intentionally set to burn vegetation ahead of an advancing wildfire, thereby depriving the main fire of fuel.

2. Verb:

   • To have an unexpected and adverse result: The most common meaning — to fail or produce a result opposite to what was intended.
   • To produce a premature explosion in an engine: To cause a backfire in a vehicle's engine.
   • To set a controlled fire to stop a wildfire: To create a backfire as a firefighting tactic.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The car's engine gave a loud backfire as it started. (A premature explosion in the engine.)
  • Firefighters used a backfire to contain the forest fire. (A controlled fire set to stop a wildfire.)

• Verb:

  • His plan to get a promotion backfired, and he was demoted instead. (The plan produced an opposite result.)
  • The old truck's engine backfired as it climbed the hill. (The engine produced a premature explosion.)
  • The crew backfired the area to prevent the wildfire from spreading. (They set a controlled fire.)

Advanced Usage

• "to backfire on someone": to have a harmful or opposite effect on the person who initiated the action.
  • The prank backfired on the joker when he got caught. (The prank hurt the person who started it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Backfiring (n/adj): the act or sound of an engine backfiring.
  • The constant backfiring of the motorcycle annoyed the neighbors. (The repeated premature explosions.)

Synonyms

• Misfire: to fail to ignite or explode at the proper time (often used for engines or guns).
• Rebound: to have an unintended negative effect.
• Controlled burn: a deliberately set fire for firefighting (similar to the noun sense).

Phrasal Verbs

• Backfire on: to have an adverse effect on the person or thing that caused it.
  • The strategy backfired on the company, leading to losses. (The strategy harmed the company.)

Related Idioms

• Blow up in one's face: to fail dramatically and cause harm to the person who attempted it.
  • His scheme blew up in his face when the police were called. (The scheme backfired severely.)