boomerang
/ˈbuməræŋ/
verb
- To return to the original position or person, especially causing an unexpected negative result.
- His plan to get out of work boomeranged when his boss gave him extra tasks.
- Their attempt to embarrass her boomeranged and made them look foolish.
- The trick question boomeranged on the teacher when the student answered correctly.
noun
- A curved, flat piece of wood or plastic that returns to the thrower when thrown correctly, traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people for hunting.
- She practiced throwing a boomerang in the park until she could catch it every time.
- The museum had a display of traditional Aboriginal boomerangs.
- He threw the boomerang and watched it curve back toward him.
- Something that returns to cause harm or trouble to the person who started it.
- The false accusation was a boomerang that ruined the accuser's reputation.
- His insult turned into a boomerang when everyone laughed at him instead.
- In politics, negative campaigns often become a boomerang for the attacker.