BACKFIRE Meaning and
Definition
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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
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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