backfire

4 definitions • 3 examples

(of a plan) to have the opposite result from the one you intended:

Her plans to make him jealous backfired on her when he started dating her best friend.

(of an engine) to make a loud noise as a result of fuel burning too early:

I was woken by the sound of a truck backfiring.

(of a plan) to have the opposite result from the one you intended:

Some hotel owners worry that the idea of attracting more visitors may backfire and make the place less attractive.

(of an engine) to make a loud noise because the fuel burned too soon