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   backfire

   verb

   • 1. (of a vehicle or its engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust: "a car backfired in the road and shoppers ducked instinctively" Similar misfire
   • 2. (of a plan or action) have an opposite and undesirable effect to what was intended: "overzealous publicity backfired on her" Similar reboundboomerangcome backhave an adverse effecthave unwelcome repercussions forcause one to be hoist with one's own petardbe self-defeatingbe counterproductivefailmiscarrygo wronginformal:blow up in someone's facearchaic:redound on

   noun

   • 1. a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine: "once the engine is running smoothly, a backfire can be dramatic"
   • 2. a fire started deliberately to stop the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path. North American

   Scrabble Points: 19

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • C

     3

   • K

     5

   • F

     4

   • I

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

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