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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
backfire verb, intrans 1 said of an engine or vehicle: to make a loud bang as the result of an explosion of accumulated unburnt or partially burned gases in the exhaust or inlet system. 2 said of a plan, etc: to go wrong and have a bad effect on the person who originated it.
ETYMOLOGY: Early 20c in these senses.
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The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
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The Chambers Thesaurus
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Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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