backfiring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backfiring" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation where an action has unintended negative consequences. Example: "His plan to increase sales ended up backfiring, leading to a loss of customers." Alternative expressions include "blowing up in one's face" and "having the opposite effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The next morning that story was splashed across the front of the Scottish Daily Mail under the headline "Campaign to save the UK in crisis", reporting Harrow's case that "hard-hitting messages about the disastrous consequences of a yes vote appear to be backfiring".

The Guardian

Not just the content, but also the tone, are backfiring.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although excessive waits have been slashed, there are still almost 700,000 people on the waiting list.And now it looks as if Labour's reforms in primary care are backfiring.

The Economist

This lack of transparency is now backfiring, as the voters learn how much is going to their MPs for so little apparent work.

The Economist

The mainstream parties will continue their policy of a "cordon sanitaire", in which all parties agree to refuse to form a coalition with the Blok.But privately many mainstream politicians feel the policy is backfiring, since it promotes the Blok's image as anti-establishment thus boosting its populanti-establishment thus

The Economist

(The Home Office then discontinued that particular question).Labour's unswerving determination to press on with other stern security measures may also be backfiring.

The Economist

But if it did, the calculation could end up backfiring.

The Economist

Now his anti-rich people rhetoric seems to be backfiring: seven of his government ministers, as well as his prime minister, are millionaires.

The Economist

Anita Roddick, founder of Body Shop and no stranger to using controversy to create a marketing stir, calls most guerrilla campaigns "the masturbatory indulgences of ad men".Certainly, there are plenty of examples of stunts backfiring.

The Economist

But even leaving aside the inconveniently privileged upbringing of some members of the Labour cabinet, and the open question whether Eton and Oxford is a weirder background than a Scottish manse and a lifetime in Labour politics Mr Brown's salvo risks backfiring.

The Economist

This ploy might work at the state level, but at the federal level even senior Bush people admit it is backfiring.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "backfiring" to convey the idea of a plan or action that not only fails but also produces a negative outcome that amplifies the initial problem or creates new ones.

Common error

Avoid using "backfiring" simply to describe a failure. The term specifically implies that the failure creates further problems or unintended negative consequences. A simple failure without these added repercussions isn't necessarily "backfiring".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "backfiring" is as a verb, often in its present participle form, describing an action or plan that is producing unexpected and undesirable results. Ludwig indicates it's a usable phrase, suggesting it functions effectively in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "backfiring" is a versatile and frequently used term that effectively describes a plan or action that yields unintended negative consequences. According to Ludwig, its structure is grammatically sound and the usage is acceptable across different contexts. When using this term, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly illustrates that the failure resulted in further problems, not just a lack of success. Alternatives like "boomeranging" or "proving counterproductive" may offer more precise meaning depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boomeranging

This emphasizes the return of negative consequences directly to the originator.

having unintended consequences

This highlights the unplanned nature of the negative outcomes.

proving counterproductive

Focuses on the lack of productivity or progress resulting from the action.

having the opposite effect

This emphasizes the action achieving the reverse of its intended purpose.

blowing up in one's face

This is a more informal expression suggesting a sudden and dramatic failure.

becoming self-defeating

This emphasizes the action itself undermining its original goal.

recoiling

This conveys a sense of forceful negative reaction or rebound.

turning out badly

This is a more general term for an unsuccessful outcome.

resulting in failure

This focuses on the unsuccessful outcome as a direct result of the action.

proving detrimental

Highlights the harmful or damaging effects of the action.

FAQs

How to use "backfiring" in a sentence?

Use "backfiring" to describe situations where an action or plan has unintended negative consequences. For instance, "The new policy, intended to reduce costs, is "backfiring" and causing employee morale to plummet".

What can I say instead of "backfiring"?

You can use alternatives such as "boomeranging", "proving counterproductive", or "having the opposite effect", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "backfiring" or "misfiring"?

"Backfiring" refers to an action producing unintended negative consequences, while "misfiring" typically describes a failure to function correctly or achieve the intended result. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "backfiring" and "failing"?

"Failing" simply means not succeeding. "Backfiring" implies not only failure but also the creation of new or exacerbated problems as a result of the attempt. The action has negative repercussions beyond its initial lack of success.