Link Centre Dictionary

backfire

back·fire

UK/bækˈfaɪə(ɹ)/ US/ˈbækfaɪə(ɹ)/ uncommon
noun (2) verb (3)

noun

1.
2.

a miscalculation that recoils on its maker

Synonyms

verb

1.

have an unexpected and undesired effect

  • “Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble”
Synonyms
2.

emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire

  • “My old car backfires all the time”
3.

Origin

From back + fire.

Phrases

  • backfire effect

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.