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backfire

 - 4 dictionary results

back⋅fire

  [bak-fahyuhr] verb, -fired, -fir⋅ing, noun
Use backfire in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. (of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.
2. to bring a result opposite to that which was planned or expected: The plot backfired.
3. to start a fire deliberately in order to check a forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area in advance of it.
–noun
4. (in an internal-combustion engine) premature ignition of fuel in the intake manifold.
5. an explosion coming out of the breech of a firearm.
6. a fire started intentionally to check the advance of a forest or prairie fire.
Origin:
1775–85, Americanism; back 2 + fire

Synonyms:
2. miscarry, boomerang; flop, bomb, wash out.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To backfire
back·fire   (bāk'fīr')   
n.  

  1. An explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in an internal-combustion engine.

  2. The backward escape of gases or cartridge fragments when a gun is fired.

  3. A fire started in the path of an oncoming fire in order to deprive it of fuel and thereby control or extinguish it.

intr.v.   back·fired, back·fir·ing, back·fires

  1. To explode in the manner of or make the sound of a backfire.

  2. To start or use a backfire in extinguishing or controlling a forest fire.

  3. To produce an unexpected, undesired result.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
backfire

  1. in.
    to release intestinal gas anally and audibly. (Usually objectionable.) : Whew! Somebody backfired!
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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backfire (on (so))

  1. in.
    [for a scheme meant to cause harm to someone or something] to harm the person who runs the scheme. : I hope this plan doesn't backfire on me.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
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