1. present participle of backfire: (of a plan or action) to have the opposite effect from what was intended, often causing problems for the person who initiated it
2. present participle of backfire: (of an engine or vehicle) to make a loud explosive sound due to unburned fuel igniting in the exhaust system
Usage: automotive

1. the action or process of a plan having unintended negative consequences

Examples

• His attempt to embarrass his rival is backfiring spectacularly.
• The old truck kept backfiring as it climbed the hill.
• The politician’s negative campaign strategy is backfiring with voters.
• We could hear the motorcycle backfiring from blocks away.
• The backfiring of their plan left them in a worse position than before.
• Her scheme to get attention ended up backfiring completely.
• The car’s backfiring indicated a problem with the engine.