backfire

backfire on

To not proceed as one had planned or hoped. My plan to convince my parents that I'm responsible enough to have a car promptly backfired on me when I came home after curfew. The invading army's strategy completely backfired on them because they failed to account for the icy mountain terrain.
See also: backfire, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

backfire on someone

Fig. [for something, such as a plot] to fail unexpectedly; to fail with an undesired result. Your plot backfired on you. I was afraid that my scheme would backfire on me.
See also: backfire, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

backfire

in. to release intestinal gas anally and audibly. (Usually objectionable.) Whew! Somebody backfired!

backfire (on someone)

in. [for a scheme meant to cause harm to someone or something] to harm the person who runs the scheme. I hope this plan doesn’t backfire on me.
See also: backfire, on, someone

backfire

verb
See backfire on someone
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • backfire on
  • backfire on someone
  • get stuck into (something)
  • go in one ear and out the other
  • a leopard cannot change its spots
  • a leopard can't change his spots
  • a leopard can't change its spots
  • a leopard does not change its spots
  • a leopard doesn't change its spots
  • argue into doing
References in periodicals archive
The bandwidth of the short backfire antenna is directly proportional to the substrate thickness (h).
Bandwidth enhancement of a backfire microstrip patch antenna for pervasive communication
In Backfire, Chalmers reiterates this history in much briefer form (although he lifts whole sections with little editing from the earlier book).
David Chalmers. Backfire: How the Ku Klux Klan Helped the Civil Rights Movement
The four aircraft, including the two Backfire Tu-22 bombers, flew eastward over the Soya Straits near Rebun Island, northern Hokkaido, between 11:59 a.m.
2 Russian bombers enter Japanese airspace
Others, however, are concerned the rule will be fully enforced and backfire, thwarting the SEC'S intent.
SEC bans selective disclosure
But remember, a presentation can backfire if it isn't prepared properly.
Moving to multimedia: computer presentations can enhance your business
Global Banking News-November 27, 2017--Central banker says action against Qatar could backfire
Central banker says action against Qatar could backfire
THE fact that four of Newcastle United's remaining six games are at St James' Park "will backfire" on the Magpies, believes Graeme Souness.
Home run will backfire on Toon - Souey
Greedy tactics already backfired on Sisu and from my point of view they will also backfire on the caterers.
Expensive beer spoiled Ricoh game; Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net
The implication that the UK is effectively England could also backfire.
Scotland's future in EU secure
A witness saw an airplane flying overhead and heard it "backfire." The witness further stated that shortly thereafter, he saw smoke coming from underneath the airplane.
Lancair IV-P experimental
A federal judge will hear legal arguments Tuesday on which label applies to the 10 co-defendants rounded up in Operation Backfire, the name given to the nation's largest ever investigation of radical environmentalists who destroyed property to promote their ideology.
Terrorist label rests with judge
I just hope Fergie's decision doesn't backfire on him.
Patsy: I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT, FERGIE!
Constant speculation and questions about the intentions of MG Rover's new Chinese owner could 'backfire,' an administrator of the Longbridge firm said last night.
Nanjing could walk away
But the water's power quickly deteriorated and the inventions could backfire, knocking the wearer off their feet.
Scientists pour cold water on police's 'backfiring' riot control cannon
My campaign manager, Jonathan Eubanks, felt it would backfire on my opponent [who is also a Republican].
Mike Gin