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   Back·fire

   /ˈbakˌfī(ə)r/

   

   verb

   • 1. (of an engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust: "a car backfired in the road" Similar misfire
   • 2. (of a plan or action) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite 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 set intentionally to arrest the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path, thus depriving the fire of fuel. 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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