backfire

back-fire · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    (of a plan or action) To have the opposite effect to what was intended; to rebound adversely on the originator.

  2. 2.

    (of an engine) To undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust system.

  3. 3.

    (noun) A mistimed explosion in an engine, or the sound it produces.

Related words

Antonyms: succeed, work
See also: fail, misfire, rebound
Synonyms: boomerang, misfire, rebound

Etymology

From English compound of back + fire, originally referring to a fire set to halt an advancing forest fire, later extended to engine malfunctions and failed plans.