(of an internal-combustion engine) to have a loud, premature explosion in the intake manifold.

to bring a result opposite to that which was planned or expected

The plot backfired.

to start a fire deliberately in order to check a forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area in advance of it.

(in an internal-combustion engine) premature ignition of fuel in the intake manifold.

an explosion coming out of the breech of a firearm.

a fire started intentionally to check the advance of a forest or prairie fire.

verb

backlash , boomerang , bounce back , disappoint , fail , flop , miscarry , rebound , recoil , ricochet , spring back , crash , fizzle , react