misfire

[mis-fiuhr, mis-fahy^uhr]

verb (used without object)

misfired, misfiring 

1. (of a rifle or gun or of a bullet or shell) to fail to fire or explode.

2. (of an internal-combustion engine) to fail to ignite properly or when expected.

3. to fail to achieve the desired result, effect, etc..

   His criticisms completely misfired.

noun

1. an act or instance of misfiring.

misfire

/ ˌmɪsˈfaɪə /

verb

1. (of a firearm or its projectile) to fail to fire, explode, or ignite as or when expected

2. (of a motor engine or vehicle, etc) to fail to fire at the appropriate time, often causing a backfire

3. to fail to operate or occur as intended

noun

1. the act or an instance of misfiring

Word History and Origins

Origin of misfire¹

First recorded in 1745–55; mis- ¹ + fire

Example Sentences

Citi has had a string of operational misfires, and remains under consent orders to overhaul how it manages data, technology and compliance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it took another 140 years or so to solve the video challenge, with many misfires along the way.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These studies weren’t necessarily wrong, but I suspect they were snapshots in time that might have lured some into concluding the entire effort was destined to misfire.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Her performance in the first set of her second match was already a significant improvement, as she won nine of 11 points on her second serve, misfiring just twice for two double faults.

Read more on Barron's

After so many misfires with others, we were feeling the spark.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• backfire 
• fall flat 
• fizzle 
• flop