backfire
2 synonyms for backfire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Of an engine or gun, to ignite or explode unexpectedly in the wrong direction, often with a loud pop.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use backfire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the plan backfired
backfire spectacularly
Etymology
From back + fire.
Full origin of backfire →Frequently asked questions
What does “backfire” mean?
The word “backfire” means of an engine or gun, to ignite or explode unexpectedly in the wrong direction, often with a loud pop. In plain terms, to go wrong in a way that causes more trouble than before — like a plan that blows up in your face.
How do you pronounce “backfire”?
“Backfire” is pronounced bak-FEYE-uh (/bækˈfaɪə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “backfire” in a sentence?
Here is “backfire” used in a sentence: “The old truck backfired loudly at every red light.”
What part of speech is “backfire”?
“Backfire” is a verb.
How many meanings does “backfire” have?
“Backfire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of an engine or gun, to ignite or explode unexpectedly in the wrong direction, often with a loud pop.
