BACKFIRES Meaning and
Definition
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Backfires is a verb that refers to a situation or an action that results in unintended, negative consequences or outcomes in contrast to their initial purpose or intentions. It implies that an initial plan, strategy, or action has produced the opposite effect than what was expected, causing detrimental consequences for the individual or group involved.
Typically, backfires occur when the initial action either triggers an undesirable chain of events or elicits a reaction that is contrary to what was intended. This term is commonly used to describe situations where one's actions or decisions, designed to achieve a desired outcome, instead worsen the situation or lead to the opposite result. It suggests a plan or scheme that goes awry, resulting in a failure or setback rather than success.
Backfires can occur on both personal and societal levels, ranging from small-scale mishaps to larger, more significant scenarios. Examples of backfiring can be found in various domains, such as politics, economics, interpersonal relationships, or even individual endeavors. For instance, a company's attempt to cut costs by downsizing might backfire if it leads to a decline in overall productivity and customer satisfaction.
In summary, backfires describe situations where actions or plans result in unintended, negative consequences that are contrary to the intended purpose, leading to failure or setbacks instead of success. It represents a situation where an initial strategy or action turns out to have the opposite effect, resulting in adverse outcomes.
Common Misspellings for BACKFIRES
Etymology of BACKFIRES
The word "backfire" is derived from two separate words: "back" and "fire".
The term "back" originated from the Old English word "bac", which means "the rear of something". It was further influenced by Middle English "bak", meaning "spine" or "backside".
The word "fire" comes from the Old English word "fȳr", which refers to the hot, burning flames produced by combustion.
When these two words are combined, "backfire" is formed, describing a situation where a fire or explosion occurs in the opposite direction of its intended course. The term eventually evolved to be used metaphorically, referring to an unintended consequence or outcome that is contrary to what was expected or desired.
Similar spelling words for BACKFIRES
Conjugate verb Backfires
CONDITIONAL
I
would backfire
we
would backfire
you
would backfire
he/she/it
would backfire
they
would backfire
FUTURE
I
will backfire
we
will backfire
you
will backfire
he/she/it
will backfire
they
will backfire
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have backfired
we
will have backfired
you
will have backfired
he/she/it
will have backfired
they
will have backfired
PAST
I
backfired
we
backfired
you
backfired
he/she/it
backfired
they
backfired
PAST PERFECT
I
had backfired
we
had backfired
you
had backfired
he/she/it
had backfired
they
had backfired
PRESENT
I
backfire
we
backfire
you
backfire
he/she/it
backfires
they
backfire
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have backfired
we
have backfired
you
have backfired
he/she/it
has backfired
they
have backfired
I
am backfiring
we
are backfiring
you
are backfiring
he/she/it
is backfiring
they
are backfiring
I
was backfiring
we
were backfiring
you
were backfiring
he/she/it
was backfiring
they
were backfiring
I
will be backfiring
we
will be backfiring
you
will be backfiring
he/she/it
will be backfiring
they
will be backfiring
I
have been backfiring
we
have been backfiring
you
have been backfiring
he/she/it
has been backfiring
they
have been backfiring
I
had been backfiring
we
had been backfiring
you
had been backfiring
he/she/it
had been backfiring
they
had been backfiring
I
will have been backfiring
we
will have been backfiring
you
will have been backfiring
he/she/it
will have been backfiring
they
will 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
I
would be backfiring
we
would be backfiring
you
would be backfiring
he/she/it
would be backfiring
they
would be backfiring
I
would have been backfiring
we
would have been backfiring
you
would have been backfiring
he/she/it
would have been backfiring
they
would have been backfiring
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