好词典

backfire

UK //ˌbækˈfaɪər//US //ˌbækˈfaɪər//

词源

源自19世纪,由 back(向后)和 fire(开火)组合而成,最初描述枪械的逆火现象,后引申为计划的反效果。

verb

❶ 指计划或行动产生与预期相反的结果,通常导致负面后果。常用于描述策略、玩笑或机械故障引发的意外情况。

“His attempt to prank his boss backfired when he got fired.”

(他恶搞老板的企图适得其反,结果自己被开除了。)

“The new policy backfired and caused more traffic jams.”

(新政策事与愿违,反而造成了更严重的堵车。)

❶ 指发动机或车辆因燃烧问题突然发出爆裂声,常见于老式汽车或摩托车。

“The old truck backfired loudly when he started the engine.”

(当他发动那辆旧卡车时,排气管发出了巨大的爆裂声。)

“We heard a car backfire and thought it was a gunshot.”

(我们听到汽车回火声,还以为是枪响。)

同义词:misfire, rebound, boomerang, flop, fail

noun

❶ 指计划或行动产生反向效果的事件,或发动机异常燃烧的现象。

“The political scandal was a complete backfire for the campaign.”

(这起政治丑闻对竞选活动产生了完全相反的效果。)

“A loud backfire from the exhaust pipe woke up the neighborhood.”

(排气管的巨大回火声吵醒了整个社区。)

同义词:misfire, reversal, failure, setback

常见短语

backfire on someone — 指某人的行为或计划对自己产生负面影响,通常带有意外或讽刺的意味。

“His lies eventually backfired on him when the truth came out.”

(当真相大白时,他的谎言最终反噬了自己。)