backfire

backfire
verb
[no obj.]
  1. (of a vehicle or its engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust
    (汽车,发动机)发生回火
  2. (of a plan or action) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite effect to what was intended
    (计划,行动)事与愿违;产生反作用
    over-zealous publicity backfired on her.
    过分热心的宣传反而对她产生了反作用。
noun
  1. a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine
    (汽车或发动机的)回火
  2. (N. Amer.)a fire started deliberately to stop the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path
    (北美)为形成防火隔离带而有意识地点燃的火
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