Dictionary definition · backfire
noun
- 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
verb
- 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
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).