backfire
verb5 collocationsAvg. frequency: 7.4
Used to describe a plan or action that has failed with significant negative consequences.
Indicates that a plan failed in the end, after a period of time, perhaps after initially seeming successful.
Indicates a complete failure of a plan, leaving no room for partial success.
Emphasizes that a plan failed in a very dramatic or noticeable way.
Used to specify the person or entity that is negatively affected by the unintended outcome.