1839, American English, originally "a fire deliberately lit ahead of an advancing prairie fire to deprive it of fuel," from back (adj.) + fire (n.). As a verb in this sense, recorded from 1886. The meaning "premature ignition in an internal-combustion engine" is first recorded 1897. Of schemes, plans, etc., "to affect the initiator rather than the intended object" it is attested from 1912, a figurative use from the accidental back-firing of firearms.
实用例句
1. The President's tactics could backfire.
总统的策略可能会适得其反。
来自柯林斯例句
2. A victory for Mr Bush and the internationalists could easily backfire.
胜利,对于布什总统和国际主义者来说,极容易事与愿违.
来自互联网
3. America's public call for Turkish entry into the European Union may backfire.
美国公开要求批准土耳其加入欧盟,这也许适得其反.
来自互联网
4. Don't criticize the students or it may backfire on you.
不要总是批评学生,否则,物极必反.
来自互联网
5. He warned this might backfire and invite sympathy for the party.
