backfire
/bækˈfaɪə(ɹ)/ verb C2- 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. · His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars backfired horribly when fuel prices tripled.· Her plan backfired on her.
- To set a back fire (small, controlled fire to limit spread of a larger fire).
He/she/it backfires · Past backfired · Past participle backfired · -ing form backfiring
Verb forms
- Base form
- backfire
- He/she/it
- backfires
- Past
- backfired
- Past participle
- backfired
- -ing form
- backfiring
Other matches
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