Definition
适得其反 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning 'to backfire' or 'to produce the opposite result of what was intended.' It is normally pronounced 'shì dé qí fǎn' (with 适 read as 'shì'), but the source records it as 'kuò' — this seems to be a pinyin error. The idiom emphasises that an action meant to bring about a desired outcome instead brings about its exact opposite.
f.e.
to backfireto achieve the opposite of one's intention
Examples
- 适得其反，。Tā zhèyàng zuò fǎn'ér kuò, ràng shìqing gèng zāo le.His actions backfired and made things worse.
- 适得其反，。Pīpíng yǒushí huì kuò, bùrú gǔlì yǒuxiào.Criticism can sometimes backfire; encouragement might be more effective.
- 适得其反，。Tā de hǎoxīn què kuò, ràng péngyou gèng shēngqì le.His good intentions backfired, making his friend even angrier.
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