backfire

/ˌbækˈfaɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌbækˈfaɪər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbak-ˌfī(-ə)r/ (ame, mw)

backfire — 動詞

  • backfirepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • backfireshe / she / it
  • backfiredpast simple
  • backfiring-ing form

1. When a plan or action backfires, it does not produce the result you hoped for an

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

適得其反

計畫產生與預期相反的壞結果

When a plan or action backfires, it does not produce the result you hoped for and instead causes harm or trouble, especially for the person who started it — for example, a trick that hurts the person who tried it, or a strategy that makes a situation worse.

例句

The plan to spread lies about his competitor backfired when people found out the truth.

散播對手謠言的計畫適得其反，因為真相被揭穿了。

backfired when people

Neha's attempt to make her boyfriend jealous backfired, and he ended their relationship.

Neha 想讓男友嫉妒的企圖適得其反，他反而提了分手。

同義詞
  • fail

    general term for any unsuccessful result; does not imply the opposite outcome

  • misfire

    suggests the plan simply did not work rather than producing the opposite result

  • rebound (on)

    emphasises the harm returning to the person who started it; more formal

  • boomerang

    less common, informal; strongly suggests the action returns to harm the doer

反義詞
  • succeed

    to achieve the intended result

  • work

    to function as planned

文法句型

backfire (on + noun/pronoun)

backfire + adverb (badly / spectacularly)

用法筆記

Describes a situation where the result is the opposite of what was intended, not just an unsuccessful outcome. If a plan simply fails without causing harm, use 'fail' instead.

常見錯誤

❌His plan to save money backfired' (when it just didn't work).
✅His plan to save money backfired and he ended up spending twice as much.
💡The word backfire requires a result that is opposite to the intended one, not just any failure.
❌The exam backfired on the students.
✅The strategy to cheat on the exam backfired when the teacher caught everyone.
💡Backfire describes a plan or action, not a neutral event like an exam.

2. When an engine or vehicle backfires, it makes a sudden loud noise because the fu

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

回火

引擎因燃燒時機錯誤而發出爆響

When an engine or vehicle backfires, it makes a sudden loud noise because the fuel inside burns at the wrong moment in the operation cycle.

例句

The old truck's engine backfired loudly as Li tried to start it on the cold morning.

Li 在寒冷的早晨發動那輛老卡車時，引擎回火發出了巨響。

engine backfired loudly

Sofia heard the car backfire twice before it finally stopped and the driver got out.

Sofia 聽到那輛車回火了兩次，最後才停下來，司機下了車。

heard the car backfire

同義詞
  • misfire

    can describe an engine failing to ignite fuel properly, but does not necessarily produce a loud noise

  • pop

    informal; describes a short explosive sound from an engine

文法句型

engine/vehicle + backfire

backfire + adverb (loudly / suddenly)

用法筆記

Describes a specific mechanical problem, not a general loud noise. Frequently occurs with older vehicles, lawnmowers, or poorly tuned engines.

常見錯誤

❌The engine backfired a strange smell.
✅The engine backfired with a loud noise.
💡Backfire is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

backfire — 名詞