backfired
word · lemma: backfire
Definition
If something backfired, it produced an opposite or unwanted result from what was intended; it went wrong and caused problems instead of solving them.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used for plans or actions that produce the opposite of what was intended. Common with 'my plan backfired', 'it backfired on me'. Rarely used for small accidents; mostly for unintentional, negative consequences.
Spanish: salió mal - tuvo un efecto contrarioPortuguese (BR): saiu pela culatra - teve efeito contrárioPortuguese (PT): saiu pela culatra - teve efeito contrárioChinese (Simplified): 适得其反 - 产生反效果Chinese (Traditional): 適得其反 - 產生反效果Hindi: उल्टा असर हुआ - विपरीत परिणाम हुआArabic: انقلب السحر على الساحر - جاء بنتيجة عكسيةBengali: উল্টো ফল হওয়া - বিফল হওয়াRussian: обернуться против - иметь обратный эффектJapanese: 裏目に出る - 逆効果になるVietnamese: phản tác dụngKorean: 역효과를 내다Turkish: geri tepmek - ters tepmekUrdu: الٹا اثر ہونا - امید کے برعکس ہوناIndonesian: berbalik arah - menjadi bumerang
Example Sentences
His plan backfired and made things worse.
basic
The advertisement backfired and people disliked the product.
basic
Her joke backfired and offended her friend.
basic
I tried to help, but it totally backfired on me.
natural
Their strategy backfired and gave the opponent an advantage.
natural
What seemed like a harmless prank really backfired in the end.
natural