backfire

To have the opposite effect from the one intended, making things worse.

• His plan backfired.
• The joke backfired and upset everyone.
• Their attempt to save money backfired on them.

How to use it: backfire on someone (The threat backfired on the manager.)

Similar words: boomerang

Common phrases: backfire on someone, backfire badly, plan can backfire

For an engine to burn fuel at the wrong time or place, producing a sudden bang.

• The old car backfired.
• The engine backfires whenever I start it.
• A motorcycle backfired loudly outside our window.

Common phrases: engine can backfire, car can backfire, backfire loudly

An explosion in the pipes carrying gases away from an engine, often making a loud bang.

• A loud backfire startled us.
• The motorcycle produced a backfire from its exhaust.
• Unburned fuel caused a backfire in the exhaust pipe.

Common phrases: exhaust backfire, a loud backfire, backfire from something

An explosion inside an engine at the wrong time, which can push a moving part backward.

• A backfire jolted the engine.
• The mechanic traced the backfire to early ignition in the cylinder.
• A severe backfire pushed the piston backward.

Similar words: knock, ping

Common phrases: engine backfire, a sudden backfire, cause a backfire