Backfire
verb
When a plan or action unexpectedly results in an opposite and undesirable outcome.
Her plan to make him jealous backfired when he started dating her best friend.
Often appears as...
- plan backfired
- scheme backfired
verb
When a gun or engine emits smoke or flames backwards unexpectedly.
The car backfired loudly, making everyone jump.
Often appears as...
- engine backfired
- gun backfired
verb
When a plan or action unexpectedly results in an opposite and undesirable outcome.
Her plan to make him jealous backfired when he started dating her best friend.
Often appears as...
- plan backfired
- scheme backfired
verb
When a gun or engine emits smoke or flames backwards unexpectedly.
The car backfired loudly, making everyone jump.
Often appears as...
- engine backfired
- gun backfired
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Unexpected Outcome
Use 'backfire' to describe a plan's outcome as the opposite of what was intended.
Trying to cut the pie evenly backfired, leaving everyone with tiny slices.
Pro Tip 2/3Irony or Surprise
Often involves an element of irony or surprise when the result is less favorable than expected.
His efforts to impress the interviewers backfired, causing embarrassment.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Consequences
Emphasizes that actions can have negative consequences, not merely different outcomes.
The aggressive marketing campaign backfired, turning customers away.
Pro Tip 1/3Unexpected Outcome
Use 'backfire' to describe a plan's outcome as the opposite of what was intended.
Trying to cut the pie evenly backfired, leaving everyone with tiny slices.
Pro Tip 2/3Irony or Surprise
Often involves an element of irony or surprise when the result is less favorable than expected.
His efforts to impress the interviewers backfired, causing embarrassment.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Consequences
Emphasizes that actions can have negative consequences, not merely different outcomes.
The aggressive marketing campaign backfired, turning customers away.
Pro Tip 1/3Unexpected Outcome
Use 'backfire' to describe a plan's outcome as the opposite of what was intended.
Trying to cut the pie evenly backfired, leaving everyone with tiny slices.
Pro Tip 2/3Irony or Surprise
Often involves an element of irony or surprise when the result is less favorable than expected.
His efforts to impress the interviewers backfired, causing embarrassment.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Consequences
Emphasizes that actions can have negative consequences, not merely different outcomes.
The aggressive marketing campaign backfired, turning customers away.
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Video examples
Why specializing early...
whereas someone who hasn't been exposed to modern work with its requirement for adaptable, conceptual thought, will see correctly that the central circles are the same size. So here we are in the wicked work world, and there, sometimes hyperspecialization can backfire badly. For example, in research in a dozen countries
Video examples
How can you change...
but they even became more convinced of their original views. So why do arguments change people’s minds in some cases and backfire in others? Arguments are more convincing when they rest on a good knowledge of the audience, taking into account what the audience believes, who they trust, and what they value.
Video examples
How to lead in a crisis...
was protecting human life. Even as the immediate goal shifted from preventing illness to preparing health systems and ultimately to bolstering the economy. And finally, give power away. Our instincts are to hold even more tightly to control in times of upheaval, but it backfires.
Video examples
What would happen if...
and tundras. Our impact is so profound, most scientists believe humanity has left a permanent mark on Earth’s geological record. So what would happen if suddenly, every human on Earth disappeared? With no one maintaining them, some of our creations backfire immediately.
Video examples
A path to security for...
It's a really common tactic that's used worldwide when politicians want to posture as tough on crime but don't actually want to change the status quo. And research shows it backfires all over the world. If you throw a lot of low-level offenders into jails,
Video examples
Nancy N. Chen: The...
With increasing obesity around the world, public health campaigns to address overweight and obesity may backfire by reinforcing weight stigma. How is it possible to move beyond these body ideals that may be harmful for esteem or self-care?
Video examples
The pleasure of poetic...
In fact, even rhythm itself, a repeated pattern of stressed syllables, is a form of repetition. Yet for all its varied uses, too much repetition can backfire. Imagine writing the same sentence on the blackboard twenty times,
Video examples
Arthritis Has Me Down PIPE...
smoked my hidden bear claws confirmed that his 3240 won't backfire but before it can be used as currency for trade
Video examples
How do Bats Hunt Their...
the water can backfire the door Benton's isn't called the water bat for nothing
Video examples
Bizarre Bat Moments PIPE...
backfire the dorbantons isn't called the water bat for nothing
Video examples
Why specializing early...
whereas someone who hasn't been exposed to modern work with its requirement for adaptable, conceptual thought, will see correctly that the central circles are the same size. So here we are in the wicked work world, and there, sometimes hyperspecialization can backfire badly. For example, in research in a dozen countries
Video examples
How can you change...
but they even became more convinced of their original views. So why do arguments change people’s minds in some cases and backfire in others? Arguments are more convincing when they rest on a good knowledge of the audience, taking into account what the audience believes, who they trust, and what they value.
Video examples
How to lead in a crisis...
was protecting human life. Even as the immediate goal shifted from preventing illness to preparing health systems and ultimately to bolstering the economy. And finally, give power away. Our instincts are to hold even more tightly to control in times of upheaval, but it backfires.
Video examples
What would happen if...
and tundras. Our impact is so profound, most scientists believe humanity has left a permanent mark on Earth’s geological record. So what would happen if suddenly, every human on Earth disappeared? With no one maintaining them, some of our creations backfire immediately.
Video examples
A path to security for...
It's a really common tactic that's used worldwide when politicians want to posture as tough on crime but don't actually want to change the status quo. And research shows it backfires all over the world. If you throw a lot of low-level offenders into jails,
Video examples
Nancy N. Chen: The...
With increasing obesity around the world, public health campaigns to address overweight and obesity may backfire by reinforcing weight stigma. How is it possible to move beyond these body ideals that may be harmful for esteem or self-care?
Video examples
The pleasure of poetic...
In fact, even rhythm itself, a repeated pattern of stressed syllables, is a form of repetition. Yet for all its varied uses, too much repetition can backfire. Imagine writing the same sentence on the blackboard twenty times,
Video examples
Arthritis Has Me Down PIPE...
smoked my hidden bear claws confirmed that his 3240 won't backfire but before it can be used as currency for trade
Video examples
How do Bats Hunt Their...
the water can backfire the door Benton's isn't called the water bat for nothing
Video examples
Bizarre Bat Moments PIPE...
backfire the dorbantons isn't called the water bat for nothing
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Elizabeth Kostova
American Author
My publishers are wonderful because they have let me write what I wanted to. They're wise enough to know that, with any author who's not simply writing formulas - who's trying to create something new - pressuring them to do something for market purposes almost always backfires. I can't imagine working under those circumstances, actually.
Quote examples
Daniel Negreanu
Canadian Celebrity
While sophisticated plays can work in poker, if attempted by an inexperienced player, they'll usually backfire. Elaborate bluffs and check-raises are best left to experienced players. It's just like golf: don't try to hit a tricky flop shot with that 25-handicap of yours!
Quote examples
Nancy Dubuc
American Businesswoman
Sometimes people get fairly obscure just for the creative license of it, and that can backfire. Iconic stories are iconic for a reason, and there are so many incredible, iconic history stories that have not been told that we don't need to go too deep in the well yet.
Quote examples
Jay McInerney
American Writer
I always hope people will like me, and I'm always afraid they will think I'm a fraud. I try harder than perhaps I should to make people like me, then it backfires. They think I'm a buffoon.
Quote examples
Gary Lineker
English Footballer
When you're winning games, everyone thinks everything the manager says and does is fantastic. Then it goes the other way, and those earlier criticisms of players can backfire.
Quote examples
Kenny Smith
American Athlete
There are people who will take shortcuts, and if you decide to take a shortcut, it usually backfires, so I'm proud to say I'm not a shortcut taker.
Quote examples
Katey Sagal
American Athlete
It's sort of the mixed blessing of being on television for so long in one thing; sometimes that backfires, in that you're not able to continue on.
Quote examples
John P. Kotter
American Educator
If people think the boss is manipulating them to get them to work harder, it backfires.
Quote examples
Todd Barry
American Comedian
I used to write things out beforehand. But sometimes it backfires.
Quote examples
Michaela Coel
I'm way too honest. It can backfire.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Kostova
American Author
My publishers are wonderful because they have let me write what I wanted to. They're wise enough to know that, with any author who's not simply writing formulas - who's trying to create something new - pressuring them to do something for market purposes almost always backfires. I can't imagine working under those circumstances, actually.
Quote examples
Daniel Negreanu
Canadian Celebrity
While sophisticated plays can work in poker, if attempted by an inexperienced player, they'll usually backfire. Elaborate bluffs and check-raises are best left to experienced players. It's just like golf: don't try to hit a tricky flop shot with that 25-handicap of yours!
Quote examples
Nancy Dubuc
American Businesswoman
Sometimes people get fairly obscure just for the creative license of it, and that can backfire. Iconic stories are iconic for a reason, and there are so many incredible, iconic history stories that have not been told that we don't need to go too deep in the well yet.
Quote examples
Jay McInerney
American Writer
I always hope people will like me, and I'm always afraid they will think I'm a fraud. I try harder than perhaps I should to make people like me, then it backfires. They think I'm a buffoon.
Quote examples
Gary Lineker
English Footballer
When you're winning games, everyone thinks everything the manager says and does is fantastic. Then it goes the other way, and those earlier criticisms of players can backfire.
Quote examples
Kenny Smith
American Athlete
There are people who will take shortcuts, and if you decide to take a shortcut, it usually backfires, so I'm proud to say I'm not a shortcut taker.
Quote examples
Katey Sagal
American Athlete
It's sort of the mixed blessing of being on television for so long in one thing; sometimes that backfires, in that you're not able to continue on.
Quote examples
John P. Kotter
American Educator
If people think the boss is manipulating them to get them to work harder, it backfires.
Quote examples
Todd Barry
American Comedian
I used to write things out beforehand. But sometimes it backfires.
Quote examples
Michaela Coel
I'm way too honest. It can backfire.
Example 1 of 10
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