backfire

But there’s no way this could possibly backfire, right?

From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026

“Law enforcement has good intentions but they sometimes backfire with unintended consequences. Often, the more laws you create to prevent people from having a reptile, the more they want them. But sometimes prohibition does work.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Estate planning can backfire for those who get overwhelmed.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026

But the showdown could backfire and spark a bigger conflict if they don’t find an off ramp, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

There was the loud bang of a backfire and the horseless chugged forward.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep

His determination may be admirable, but the sheer, futile arrogance of such a display backfires in equally spectacular fashion.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

The company has long relied on this high-yielding equity as its primary engine to bankroll Bitcoin acquisitions—a strategy that backfires when the shares lose ground.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

All of the above comes with a caveat: Unbridled choice often backfires.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

Is there a chance this really backfires, then?

From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2026

The car behind me at the drive-thru backfires, and I rush inside.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

How Whirlpool’s decision to abandon global markets backfired when the U.S. entered a housing slump—and why it’s now betting on chewable nugget ice to lead a turnaround.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

But a police crackdown on crowds marching towards parliament on July 20 backfired, galvanising support for the movement and transforming anger over exam leaks into a broader expression of youth frustration.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

The chain has experienced other problems as well, including remodels that backfired, agitation among activist investors and same-store sales that have wobbled over Masino’s three-year tenure.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Some might look at the Platner implosion and realize that treating each one of his bad decisions, harmful actions, and personal failures as an upside for his relatability backfired spectacularly.

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

Seemed like Dad’s plan to show up Eugene Hammond had backfired on us all.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Nestlé tweaked its portfolio, but investors say some acquisitions were a distraction, backfiring as the company expanded into non-core areas.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

The critics argue Lemssouguer relies heavily on borrowed money, or leverage, to boost profits, a strategy prone to backfiring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026

Sullivan warned that changes to VA policy that take decision-making out of veterans’ control is a risk that could seriously backfiring.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

China's approach to urging people to have children also risks backfiring if people feel the government is being "too intrusive" about what is deeply personal choice, she said.

From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2025

Then a truck came toward us with its chains ratding and its engine backfiring.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus