backfire

Meanings

• the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
• a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
• a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
• a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
• come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
  • "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"
• emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
  • "My old car backfires all the time"
• set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

Synonyms

backlash, blowback, boomerang, recoil