Pronunciation: /ˈbækˌfaɪər/
noun A miscalculation or error that has an unexpected and undesirable result
A1 The plan to surprise my friend backfired when she found out.
A2 His attempt to fix the car himself backfired and caused more damage.
B1 The company's decision to cut costs backfired when customers complained about the lower quality.
B2 The politician's attempt to gain more support by making controversial statements backfired and caused a public backlash.
C1 The elaborate scheme to frame someone for a crime ultimately backfired and led to the perpetrator's own downfall.
C2 The CEO's risky investment strategy backfired spectacularly, resulting in massive losses for the company.
verb To have an unexpected and undesirable result, especially contrary to one's intentions
A1 His plan to surprise his friend backfired when she found out about it.
A2 The prank they played on their teacher backfired and they got detention.
B1 The company's attempt to cut costs by outsourcing backfired when the quality of the products decreased.
B2 The politician's attempt to gain support from the public backfired when his scandal was exposed.
C1 The CEO's decision to invest in a risky venture backfired and resulted in significant financial losses for the company.
C2 The elaborate scheme to frame their rival backfired when evidence of their own wrongdoing was uncovered.
formal The company's attempt to manipulate public opinion ended up backfiring on them.
informal I thought skipping breakfast would help me lose weight, but it backfired and I ended up eating more at lunch.
slang I tried to prank my sister, but it totally backfired and she got me back even worse.
figurative His plan to impress his crush with a grand gesture backfired when she found it too overwhelming.
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