How Do You Spell BACKFIRE?

Pronunciation: [bˈakfa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA)

The word "backfire" is spelled b-a-c-k-f-i-r-e. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be written as /ˈbækˌfaɪər/ - the stressed syllable is "fa" and the ending sound is "ər." The word is commonly used to describe an engine malfunction where the fuel ignites in the exhaust system, causing a loud noise and sometimes flames. It can also be used figuratively to describe situations where a plan or action has unexpected negative consequences.

BACKFIRE Meaning and Definition

  1. Backfire is a verb that refers to an unexpected or unintentional result that is contrary to what was intended or desired, typically resulting in a negative or disadvantageous outcome. It is often used to describe a plan, action, or strategy that fails to achieve its intended purpose and instead causes harm or has a detrimental effect on one's own interests.

    The term "backfire" originated from the concept of a defective firearm or engine failing to ignite or explode properly, causing the explosion to occur in the reverse direction. Similarly, when a plan or action backfires, it has the opposite effect of what was initially intended, causing harm to the person or group who initiated it.

    Backfire can also refer to a situation where an attempted retaliation or punishment results in negative repercussions for the person seeking revenge. This can occur when the intended target of the retaliation either emerges stronger or garners sympathy from others, thereby causing the person seeking revenge to suffer instead.

    In summary, backfire is a verb that describes an outcome that goes against the intended objective and works to the detriment of the individual or group who initiated it. It implies an unintentional or unforeseen consequence that is often negative or harmful.

Common Misspellings for BACKFIRE

Idioms with the word BACKFIRE

  • backfire on sm The idiom "backfire on someone" refers to a situation where someone's plan or action has unintended negative consequences or results, often harming the person who initiated it. It suggests that the original intention or expectation has failed and instead, the outcome has worked against them.
  • backfire on The idiom "backfire on" means that an action or plan that was intended to have a positive outcome ends up having a negative consequence for the person or people who initiated it. It refers to a situation in which one's actions result in unfavorable or unintended consequences that are detrimental to one's own interests or goals.
  • backfire on someone The idiom "backfire on someone" refers to a situation where someone's plans, actions, or intentions have an opposite or unexpected effect, leading to negative consequences for the person who initiated them.

Similar spelling word for BACKFIRE

Plural form of BACKFIRE is BACKFIRES

Conjugate verb Backfire

CONDITIONAL

I would backfire
you would backfire
he/she/it would backfire
we would backfire
they would backfire

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be backfiring
you would be backfiring
he/she/it would be backfiring
we would be backfiring
they would be backfiring

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have backfire
you would have backfire
he/she/it would have backfire
we would have backfire
they would have backfire

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been backfiring
you would have been backfiring
he/she/it would have been backfiring
we would have been backfiring
they would have been backfiring

FUTURE

I will backfire
you will backfire
he/she/it will backfire
we will backfire
they will backfire

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be backfiring
you will be backfiring
he/she/it will be backfiring
we will be backfiring
they will be backfiring

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have backfired
you will have backfired
he/she/it will have backfired
we will have backfired
they will have backfired

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been backfiring
you will have been backfiring
he/she/it will have been backfiring
we will have been backfiring
they will have been backfiring

IMPERATIVE

you backfire
we let´s backfire

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to backfire

PAST

I backfired
you backfired
he/she/it backfired
we backfired
they backfired

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was backfiring
you were backfiring
he/she/it was backfiring
we were backfiring
they were backfiring

PAST PARTICIPLE

backfired

PAST PERFECT

I had backfired
you had backfired
he/she/it had backfired
we had backfired
they had backfired

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been backfiring
you had been backfiring
he/she/it had been backfiring
we had been backfiring
they had been backfiring

PRESENT

I backfire
you backfire
he/she/it backfires
we backfire
they backfire

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am backfiring
you are backfiring
he/she/it is backfiring
we are backfiring
they are backfiring

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

backfiring

PRESENT PERFECT

I have backfired
you have backfired
he/she/it has backfired
we have backfired
they have backfired

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been backfiring
you have been backfiring
he/she/it has been backfiring
we have been backfiring
they have been backfiring
I would have backfired
we would have backfired
you would have backfired
he/she/it would have backfired
they would have backfired

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