backfire

Noun

• a miscalculation that recoils on its maker

• a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path

• a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine

• the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired

Verb

• set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

• emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
  • My old car backfires all the time
    

• come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
  • Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  boomerang , blowback , backlash , recoil