Question of the Day #134

"Conservative’s Story About ‘How Republicans Are Born’ Backfires Spectacularly"
From the headline of this article at the Huffington Post.

上記の文で、backfire の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "backfire" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


1. しっぺ返しを食らう、恨みを買う、思わぬ面倒を招く
2. 期待外れに終わる、裏目に出る

で、この場合は、２番が適訳です。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

 to have the reverse of the desired or expected effect 

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

動詞として「期待外れに終わる、裏目に出る」の意味で使われ始めたのは1912年で、銃器の暴発から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

As a verb, of schemes, plans, etc., "to affect the initiator rather than the intended object" it is attested from 1912, a figurative use from the accidental back-firing of firearms.

Examples

• their plans backfired
• My plan to throw her a surprise party backfired when she ended up sobbing that everyone had forgotten her birthday
• "But that also backfired, particularly with women, Hill said." — Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, "Here are some takeaways from the Uber founder’s departure," 20 June 2017
• "There are already signs that the effort may backfire." — Gregg Carlstrom, The Atlantic, "The Qatar Crisis Is Pushing Hamas Back to Iran," 14 June 2017
• "Deportation of gang members from the U.S. to Central America could easily backfire and make the situation in Central America worse." — Miami Herald, "Miami summit an opportunity to rethink Central America," 13 June 2017