verb
- to have an opposite and undesirable result from what was intended
- to make a loud popping sound due to improper combustion in an engine
noun
- a loud popping sound from an engine due to improper combustion
- a result that is opposite to what was intended
Examples
- His plan to embarrass his rival backfires when everyone laughs at him instead.
- The old truck backfires loudly as it starts up.
- Their attempt to save money backfires and costs them more.
- The car’s backfire startled the pedestrians.
- The marketing campaign backfires and damages the company’s reputation.
- We heard several backfires from the motorcycle.
- Her scheme to get attention backfires completely.