- 1[intransitive] backfire (on somebody) to have the opposite effect to the one intended, with bad or dangerous results Unfortunately the plan backfired.
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- 2[intransitive] (of an engine or a vehicle) to make a sudden noise like an explosion compare misfire
backfire
verbNAmE//ˈbækˌfaɪər//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they backfire he / she / it backfires
past simple backfired
-ing form backfiring
Check pronunciation: backfire