backfire; opposite of desired result
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to backfire; to produce the opposite effect to what was intended; to run counter to one's wishes
neutralUsed to describe situations where actions, measures, or policies produce results exactly opposite to the original intention. Often implies that good intentions led to bad outcomes.
Rú如
guǒ果
bù不
zhù注
yì意
fāng方
shì式
fāng方
fǎ法
，
shàn善
yì意
de的
pī批
píng评
wǎng往
wǎng往
huì会
shì适
dé得
qí其
fǎn反
。
If you don't pay attention to the method, well-meaning criticism will often backfire.
Guò过
dù度
bǎo保
hù护
hái孩
zi子
fǎn反
ér而
huì会
shì适
dé得
qí其
fǎn反
，
zǔ阻
ài碍
tā他
men们
dú独
lì立
xìng性
de的
fā发
zhǎn展
。
Overprotecting children will backfire instead, hindering the development of their independence.
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Tā他
de的
hǎo好
yì意
shì适
dé得
qí其
fǎn反
，
ràng让
duì对
fāng方
gǎn感
dào到
gèng更
jiā加
nán难
kān堪
le了
。
His good intentions backfired, making the other party feel even more embarrassed.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
jí急
gōng功
jìn近
lì利
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
zhǐ只
huì会
shì适
dé得
qí其
fǎn反
，
dá达
bù不
dào到
yù预
qī期
de的
xiào效
guǒ果
。
Such a shortsighted approach will only backfire, failing to achieve the desired results.