适得其反 (kuò) — to backfire; to achieve the opposite of one's intention
Definition
An idiom meaning an action backfires — the result is the opposite of what was intended. Often paired with 反而 to highlight the ironic outcome.
idiom
to backfireto achieve the opposite of one's intention
Examples
- 适得其反，。Tā zhè yàng zuò fǎn ér kuò, ràng shì qing gèng zāo le.His actions backfired and made things worse.
- 适得其反，。Pī píng yǒu shí huì kuò, bù rú gǔ lì yǒu xiào.Criticism can sometimes backfire; encouragement might be more effective.
- 适得其反，。Tā de hǎo xīn què kuò, ràng péng you gēng shēng qì le.His good intentions backfired, making his friend even angrier.
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