Backfire (Noun)
Meaning 1
A loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- The old truck's engine coughed and sputtered before letting out a loud backfire that startled everyone in the parking lot.
- The backfire from the motorcycle's engine was so loud that it shattered the nearby storefront window.
- When I tried to start the car, all I got was a weak spark and a single loud backfire from the exhaust pipe.
- The car's faulty spark plug caused a backfire that damaged the exhaust system and had to be repaired at a shop.
- As the engine revved up, a small backfire popped out of the exhaust, making the driver jump in surprise.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- The rifle's malfunction caused a backfire that severely injured the shooter's hand.
- The backfire from the cannon singed the eyebrows of the soldier loading it.
- The old pistol's rusty barrel was prone to backfire, making it a danger to the user.
- When the hunter's rifle was clogged with debris, a backfire threw him to the ground.
- The faulty shell resulted in a backfire that damaged the artillery piece beyond repair.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 3
A fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Examples
- The firefighters set a backfire along the ridge to starve the main fire of fuel and slow its advance.
- A backfire was lit in a controlled area to give the fire crews a better chance of containing the blaze.
- The strategy of using a backfire to block the wildfire's path was deemed a success when the flames were finally brought under control.
- Due to strong winds, the backfire threatened to spread out of control and the firefighters were forced to recontain it.
- After studying the topography, the fire team decided to set a backfire at the pass to create a firebreak and halt the fire's advance.
Meaning 4
A miscalculation that recoils on its maker.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The politician's attempt to bribe a judge proved to be a major backfire, costing her the election and her reputation.
- The company's decision to release a rival product too soon turned out to be a backfire, as it drew attention away from their own struggling product.
- The investor's aggressive bet on the market backfired when the stocks plummeted, leaving him with significant losses.
- The prankster's attempt to frighten his sister backfired when she ended up scaring him instead.
- The government's plan to distract from their own scandals by pointing fingers at the opposition backfired, as the public saw through the tactic and became even more outraged.