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- Dictionarybackfire
verb
- 1. (of a vehicle or its engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust: "a car backfired in the road and shoppers ducked instinctively" Similar
- 2. (of a plan or action) have an opposite and undesirable effect to what was intended: "overzealous publicity backfired on her" Similar
noun
- 1. a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine: "once the engine is running smoothly, a backfire can be dramatic"
- 2. a fire started deliberately to stop the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path. North American
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BACKFIRE definition: 1. (of a plan) to have the opposite result from the one you intended: 2. (of an engine) to make a…. Learn more.
The meaning of BACKFIRE is to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect. How to use backfire in a sentence.
BACKFIRE meaning: 1. (of a plan) to have the opposite result from the one you intended: 2. (of an engine) to make a…. Learn more.
verb (intransitive) 1. (of an internal-combustion engine) to emit a loud noise as a result of an explosion in the inlet manifold or exhaust system. 2. (of an endeavour, plan, etc) to have an unwanted effect on its perpetrator. his plans backfired on him.
noun. in an internal-combustion engine. an explosion of unburnt gases in the exhaust system. a premature explosion in a cylinder or inlet manifold. a controlled fire started to create a barren area that will halt an advancing forest or prairie fire.
Use the word backfire when you talk about the sound a car makes when a small explosion in its exhaust system pops — sometimes as loudly as a gunshot. Hearing a car's backfire can make you jump, because it makes a sharp, shot-like sound.
Definitions of 'backfire' 1. If a plan or project backfires, it has the opposite result to the one that was intended. [...] 2. When a motor vehicle or its engine backfires, it produces an explosion in the exhaust pipe. [...] More. English for Special Purposes. in Automotive Engineering.
Definition of backfire verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
BACKFIRE definition: If something that you do backfires, it has the opposite result of what you wanted.. Learn more.
• A final experiment by the police at labour organization backfired disastrously. • Trying to make your partner jealous by flirting with other people can easily backfire on you. backfire meaning, definition, what is backfire: if a plan or action backfires, it has th...: Learn more.
