verb🔗Share(of a gun, cannon, Bunsen burner, etc.) To fire in the opposite direction, for example due to an obstruction in the barrel."The old cannon backfired, sending smoke and debris towards the crowd instead of the target. "technicalmachineweapondirectionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗Share(of an engine) To experience a premature ignition of fuel or an ignition of exhaust gases, making a popping sound."The old car coughed and backfired loudly as I tried to start it. "vehicletechnologymachinesoundfuelChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareTo fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune."His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars backfired horribly when fuel prices tripled."outcomedisasteractioneventnegativeChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
