backfire | ||
1. | [ noun ] a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine | |
Related terms: | explosion backblast | |
2. | [ verb ] set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire | |
Related terms: | burn | |
3. | [ verb ] emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire | |
Examples: | "My old car backfires all the time" |
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Related terms: | make_noise | |
4. | [ verb ] have an unexpected and undesired effect | |
Synonyms: | backlash | |
Examples: | "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble" |
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Related terms: | react backlash | |
5. | [ noun ] a miscalculation that recoils on its maker | |
Synonyms: | boomerang | |
Related terms: | miscalculation boomerang | |
Similar spelling: |
bacciferous |