backfire – to have the opposite effect to the one intended, with bad or dangerous results // Unfortunately the plan backfired. // A risk without a clear purpose can backfire. // His plan to get attention backfired, and instead of
Useful expressions
STOP saying “WHAT?”: Advanced English Lesson (Vanessa) Ways to say “What?” – Be Polite in American English (Rachel) What? What did you say? May sound rude. The better are: Excuse me? Pardon? I beg your pardon? (Old style, but still