backfired

Verb

backfire (third-person singular simple present backfires, present participle backfiring, simple past and past participle backfired)

1. (intransitive) Of a gun, cannon, Bunsen burner, etc., to fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel.
2. (intransitive) Of a reciprocating engine, to experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound.
   • It was just after the Biafran war, and all the local people were still jumpy. Any time a car backfired or a police siren howled, they would dive under desks or tables instinctively.1991 February 4, Ayofemi Folayan, “No Sounds Of Silence”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 28, page 7
3. (idiomatic, transitive) To fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune.
   • His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars backfired horribly when fuel prices tripled.
4. To set a back fire (small, controlled fire to limit spread of a larger fire).

See all 7 meanings of backfire