Definition

1. Noun:

   • A miscalculation that recoils on its maker: An action or plan that produces the opposite of the intended effect, harming the person who initiated it.
   • A fire set to stop a larger fire: A controlled fire deliberately set to burn an area in the path of an advancing wildfire, creating a barrier to stop its spread.
   • A loud noise from an engine: A loud, sharp noise caused by the premature ignition or improper combustion of fuel in an internal combustion engine's exhaust or intake system.
   • The backward escape of gases: The backward escape of gases and unburned propellant from a firearm after it is fired.

2. Verb:

   • To set a controlled fire: To deliberately start a fire to create a firebreak to stop an advancing wildfire.
   • To make a loud noise: (Of an engine or vehicle) to produce a loud, explosive noise due to a backfire.
   • To have the opposite effect: (Of a plan, action, or comment) to produce an effect opposite to the one intended, often causing problems for the originator.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • His attempt to discredit his rival was a complete backfire and only made him look petty. (His plan had the opposite effect.)
  • Firefighters used a backfire to protect the village from the raging forest fire. (A controlled fire was used as a defense.)
  • The loud backfire from the old truck startled the pedestrians. (The engine made a loud noise.)
  • The backfire from the rifle was more intense than expected. (Gases escaped backward from the gun.)

• Verb:

  • The crew had to backfire a section of the prairie to save the homestead. (They set a controlled fire.)
  • That motorcycle tends to backfire when it's cold. (The engine makes loud popping noises.)
  • Be careful what you say; your criticism could backfire and make people sympathize with her. (Your words could have the opposite result.)

Advanced Usage

• "Backfire on someone": To have negative consequences for the person who initiated the action.
  • The smear campaign backfired on the politician, destroying his own credibility.
• "Backfire spectacularly": To fail in a very obvious and dramatic way.
  • The marketing stunt backfired spectacularly, leading to a public relations disaster.

Variants and Related Words

• Backfiring (present participle/gerund): The act or process of backfiring.
  • The constant backfiring of the engine indicated a serious problem.
• Back-fired (simple past/past participle): The past tense and past participle form of the verb.
  • Their strategy back-fired and cost them the election.

Synonyms

• Boomerang (verb): To have an unintended negative effect on the originator.
• Misfire (verb): To fail to achieve the intended result; also used for engines and weapons.
• Rebound (verb): To have an adverse reactive effect.
• Fail (verb): To not succeed.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(The word 'backfire' itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is contained within the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "To blow up in someone's face": To fail suddenly and completely, with negative consequences for the person responsible. (Similar in meaning to 'backfire'.)
  • His secret scheme blew up in his face when the media found out.

Noun

1. a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
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. a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
4. the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired

Verb

1. set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
2. emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
   • My old car backfires all the time
3. come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
   • Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble