backfire

Meaning

Verb

1. (intransitive, usually) To fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.
2. (intransitive) To experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound.
3. (idiomatic, transitive) To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.
4. To set a back fire (small, controlled fire to limit spread of a larger fire).

Noun

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative spelling of back fire.
2. 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.
3. An explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine.
4. An explosion in other equipment.

Synonyms

boomerang

🪃

recoil

backlash

flashback

blowback

have a harmful result

rebound

counterfire

counterproductive

detonate

detonation

explode

explosion

fulminate

fulmination

go off

kick

kicking

reversal

reverse

setback

shot

whammy

combust

opposite effect

fire suppression

water bombing

arcback

inverse arc

blast

blow out

blowup

blow up

boot

👢

burst out

Translations

Fehlzündung

fehlschlagen

sair pela culatra

retour

avere effetto contrario

Gegenteil

gegenteilige Wirkung

فَرْقَعَة

gegenteiliger Effekt

ins Auge gehen

fehlzünden

Gegenfeür

Wasserbombenabwurf

Auspuffknall

Fehlzündungen haben

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bækˈfaɪə(ɹ)/

Etymology

From back + fire.