backfires
Plans go wrong
Backfires is the third-person singular of backfire.
An engine backfires when combustion occurs in the wrong place or at the wrong time, producing a loud bang: The old truck backfired as it pulled away.
More commonly now, a plan or action backfires when it produces the opposite of its intended result: Her attempt to make him jealous backfired spectacularly.
Illegal payment for services
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- reboundReturn after deflection
- snapbackSudden return to position
- exhaustUse up entirely
pop · bang · sputter · combustion · ignition · carburetor · engine · tailpipe
Unintended negative consequences
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- reboundReturn after deflection
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
reversal · consequence · repercussion · retaliation · opposite · paradox · self-defeating · miscalculation
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- reboundReturn after deflection
- snapbackSudden return to position
exhaust · pop · bang · sputter · combustion · ignition · carburetor · engine · tailpipe · detonation
blowback
Unintended negative consequences
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- reboundReturn after deflection
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
irony · reversal · consequence · repercussion · retaliation · opposite · paradox · self-defeating · miscalculation · unintended
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
misstep · mishap · botch · flop · catastrophe · fizzle · bust · wreck · ruin · collapse
- blundersblunder, blunders, blundered, mistakes, botch
- fire sciencefire behavior, fire spread, ignition, combustion, flames