Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The action of the burner of an explosive mixture, usually of gas and air, by which the flame runs back through the mixing- or combining-tube to the jet which delivers the fuel: due to the fact that the flow in the mixing-tube is slower than the rate at which the flame travels in such a mixture.
- noun The pre-ignition of a mixture of gas and air, in the cylinder of an internal-combustion motor, by which the piston is strongly driven backward and a partial rotation of the shaft in reverse direction results: due to a very combustible mixture with high compression in relation to its composition, or to advanced spark-adjustment. See
ignition , 5, and internal-combustion motor.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Rubio and his use of Repugs money as his own personal piggy bank is back-firing.
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If constantly attacking the Liberals is their idea of confidently governing the country, then the strategy is back-firing.
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He may be getting rid of ambling tearful goal-scapegoat Dimitar Berbatov, indolent Glenn Hoddle-lite Michael Carrick, juddering, creaking, back-firing defensive Rolls Royce Rio Ferdinand and apparently want-away ace grappler Nemanja Vidic.
Football transfer rumours: Kasper Schmeichel to Bayern Munich? 2010
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If constantly attacking the Liberals is their idea of confidently governing the country, then the strategy is back-firing.
Worth Repeating: Paul Wells Everything Is Always The Other Guy’s Fault « Unambiguously Ambidextrous 2008
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His orders from the criminal elite are back-firing.
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The chances of it back-firing on him seem extraordinarily high to me.
New McCain Ad: "Maybe The Applause Has Gone To His Head" 2009
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You add credibility to the sheer volume of Essel's support with you back-firing effort, which by the way took you many more words to explain that the Times endorsement took to reach many times the readership.
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This whole row over admissions was concocted by Balls himself but has ended up back-firing dreadfully on him.
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This whole row over admissions was concocted by Balls himself but has ended up back-firing dreadfully on him.
Yet another Balls up 2008
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World Cup Organising Committee surely must if Blatter's "dream" is not to turn into that back-firing nightmare.
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