What does Backfire mean?

Definitions for Backfire
ˈbækˌfaɪərback·fire

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Backfire.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. blowback, backfirenoun

    the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired

  2. backfirenoun

    a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine

  3. backfirenoun

    a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path

  4. backfire, boomerangverb

    a miscalculation that recoils on its maker

  5. backfire, backlash, recoilverb

    come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect

    "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"

  6. backfireverb

    emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire

    "My old car backfires all the time"

  7. backfireverb

    set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

Wiktionary

  1. backfireverb

    (Of a gun or cannon) to fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.

  2. backfireverb

    To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.

    His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars horribly backfired when fuel prices tripled.

  3. Etymology: From back + fire.

ChatGPT

  1. backfire

    Backfire generally refers to a situation where an action or plan has the opposite effect to what was originally intended. It often results in harm or damage to the person who initiated the action or plan. It can be used in different contexts such as psychological, social, mechanical, or physical situations.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce Backfire?

How to say Backfire in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Backfire in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Backfire in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of Backfire in a Sentence

  1. Andrew Ames:

    You saw bursts of flames, little flames shooting out from the engine, it almost looked like backfire flames from a motorcycle or car.

  2. Greg Valliere:

    Politicians can seek retribution in terms of tax policy or regulations. It's a fine line these companies have to walk. This could backfire if they're too aggressive.

  3. Thomas Gerakis:

    It looked like a walk in a park for Alexis Tsipras - there was a chasm between Alexis Tsipras. But we see now that if one underestimates the other, it will only backfire, i'M NOT FAKE.

  4. Will Smith:

    Studios make the decision that if they're going to Comic-Con, they have to bring their A-game, if you don't come with something that's going to get people excited, it could actually backfire ... It's not cheap to make a splash at Comic-Con.

  5. Bethany Mandel:

    They see what happened in San Francisco this week and know that the way they have been conducting business is no longer viable, they are grasping at straws, and this is the straw they have decided to grasp. They are painting all opposition as fascist and terrorizing. Americans over the course of the last two years have caught on like never before to this tactic. It is going to backfire in a big way.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Backfire#10000#52900#100000

Translations for Backfire

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • nach hinten losgehen, fehlschlagenGerman
  • salir el tiro por la culata, tener contraefecto, tener efecto retroactivoSpanish
  • mennä pieleen, kostautua, epäonnistuaFinnish
  • se retourner contre, avoir l'effet inverseFrench
  • avere effetto contrarioItalian
  • falenDutch
  • sair pela culatraPortuguese
  • привести к обратным результатам, приводить к обратным результатамRussian
  • vratiti se, obiti se o glavuSerbo-Croatian
  • ย้อนกลับThai

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"Backfire." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Backfire>.

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    living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
    A occlusive
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