backfire
IPA: bˈækfaɪr
noun
- A premature explosion in the cylinder of a gas or oil engine during the exhaust or the compression stroke, tending to drive the piston in the wrong direction.
- An explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine.
- An explosion in other equipment.
- (firefighting) Alternative spelling of back fire [A small, controlled fire set in the path of a larger uncontrolled fire, in order to limit the spread of the large fire by removing its fuel.]
verb
- (of a gun, cannon, Bunsen burner, etc.) To fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.
- (of a reciprocating engine) To experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound.
- To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.
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Examples of "backfire" in Sentences
- It tends to backfire on the job.
- It's likely to backfire, though.
- All other tactics will backfire.
- The ploy backfires and leads to divorce.
- But don't exaggerate, it just backfires.
- Commendations at arbitration tend to backfire.
- What will backfire is when Reps link Obama to Carter.
- They knew that aggressiveness toward the reader backfires.
- The plan backfires and leads to the accidental death of Gerald.
- However his plan backfires and he is shot with the revolver in the study.
- But the plan backfires when Bill lets Lauren go to the mall with a shoplifter.
- The phenomenon - known as "backfire" - is "a natural defense mechanism to avoid that cognitive dissonance."
- The backfire from a bread truck coming around the corner was too close for comfort when I realized what was happening.
- By challenging the courts, it's possible that strategy could backfire, which is a risk that some discharged military service members fear.
- In some cases, the overall result can be what's called 'backfire': more energy use than would have occurred without the improved efficiency.
- Of course, some plans backfire, which is what happened to a guy who tried to doctor his W2 form but put down the wrong address for a company he said he worked for but didn't.