boomerang

• Objet de bois courbé qui, lancé habilement, revient vers son lanceur ; au sens figuré, désigne une action ou une parole qui se retourne contre son auteur.

A curved piece of wood that, when thrown correctly, returns to the thrower; also used figuratively to describe a miscalculation that recoils on its maker.

1. Curved throwing stickB1formalaustralian

   A curved, flat piece of wood that, when thrown correctly, returns to the thrower; traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal peoples for hunting.

   boomerang

   • He threw thew the boomerang and watched it arc back towards him.
   • The tourist bought a painted boomerang as a souvenir.
   • Learning to throw a boomerang properly takes practice.

2. Backfiring actionB2informal

   A plan or action that has the opposite effect to what was intended, harming the person who started it.

   Retour de flamme

   • His attempt to embarrass her became a boomerang when the truth came out.
   • The company's aggressive marketing strategy turned into a boomerang, damaging their reputation.
   • Any lie can often act as a boomerang, returning to hurt the liar.

   Synonymesbackfirebacklashkickbackreboundrecoil

• Verbe signifiant revenir ou ricocher, souvent de manière inattendue, comme un boomerang ; également utilisé au sens figuré pour des actions ou situations qui se retournent contre leur auteur.

A verb meaning to return or rebound, often unexpectedly, like a boomerang; also used figuratively for actions or situations that come back to affect the originator.

1. Return to the originB2informal

   To return to the starting point or to the person who initiated an action, often unexpectedly.

   Revenir à son point de départ

   • His harsh words boomeranged back on him when he realized he was wrong.
   • The plan boomeranged and ended up hurting the company instead of helping it.
   • Her criticism boomeranged when she was caught making the same mistake.

   Synonymesbackfirebounce backcome backreboundrecoilreturn