backfire
Plan goes wrong
Backfire originally describes an engine's premature combustion, producing a loud bang when fuel ignites in the exhaust or intake rather than the cylinder.
The figurative use now dominates: when a plan backfires, it produces the opposite of the intended result.
Her attempt to make him jealous backfired spectacularly.
A backfire is also a controlled burn set to stop an advancing wildfire by depriving it of fuel.
Unintended negative consequences
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- reboundReturn after deflection
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
setback · unintended · side-effect · consequence · complication · unforeseen · adverse · unwanted
Illegal payment for services
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- snapSudden sharp sound
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
thrust · counterstroke · counterblast · discharge · report · explosion · bang
Humiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- botchSpoil through incompetence
bungle · flop · misstep · miscalculation · misjudgment · snafu · catastrophe · defeat
blowback
Unintended negative consequences
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- reboundReturn after deflection
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
counterproductive · setback · unintended · side-effect · consequence · complication · unforeseen · adverse · unwanted · unexpected
kickback
Illegal payment for services
shock · thrust · counterstroke · counterblast · discharge · report · explosion · bang
fiasco
Humiliating public failure
botch · bungle · flop · misstep · miscalculation · misjudgment · snafu · catastrophe · defeat · collapse
exhaust
Use up entirely
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer
- ignitionStarting combustion process
spark · bang · pop · sputter · cylinder · timing · fuel · intake · manifold · detonation
- combat idiomsdodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, take a shot, under the gun, jump the gun
- fire idiomsfan the flames, spread like wildfire, go up in flames, go up in smoke, up in smoke
- Unintended Consequencesblowback, own goal, Streisand effect
- car problemsflat tire, dead battery, engine light, check engine, brake failure
- failingfail, fails, collapse, flop, bomb
- machine soundshumming, buzzing, whirring, clanking, grinding