verb
backfire
bak-FEYE-uh
verb
1
Of an engine or gun, to ignite or explode unexpectedly in the wrong direction, often with a loud pop.
"The old truck backfired loudly at every red light."
2
To produce the opposite result to the one intended, making the situation worse.
"His plan to surprise her backfired when she found the receipt first."
How to Use Backfire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go wrong in a way that causes more trouble than before — like a plan that blows up in your face.
Common pairings
the plan backfired
backfire spectacularly
Word Forms
backfired past tense, backfires singular
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The old truck _____ loudly at every red light.
Etymology
From back + fire.