| 释义 |
backfire
I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun
Etymology: back (III) + fire
1.
a. : a fire started counter to an advancing forest or prairie fire to check the latter by clearing an area
b. : a vigorous countermovement or activity
< delegates come under the influence of a strong backfire of opinion from the country — Allen Johnson >
2.
a. : an improperly timed explosion of fuel mixture in the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine; especially : one occurring when either the exhaust or intake valve is open and resulting in a loud detonation
b. : combustion in a fuel-supply line (as of a welding torch)
II. intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a backfire
b. : to make a sound like that of a backfire
< a big coffee urn backfiring with alarming pops and bangs — Frederick Way >
2. : to have or experience a backfire or backfires — used of an internal-combustion engine or a firearm
3. : to light so that the flame proceeds from the internal gas jet instead of from the external jet of mixed gas and air — used of a Bunsen or similar air-fed burner
4. : to have the reverse of the desired effect by causing loss or injury to the user or doer : boomerang
< when the opposition publicized the lady candidate's photograph in a bathing suit, the strategy backfired — Emily T. Douglas >
: fail to have the desired effect : miscarry
< some of the marriages have been happy, some have badly backfired — Frank Gibney >
• backfiring noun -s |