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

To watch videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in action failing bigly is like watching “Star Wars” Stormtroopers constantly misfiring or bonking their heads despite the full backing of the emperor himself.

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No reason to make more of some rare misfires.

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His last two records, the subdued and introspective Subtract and Autumn Variations, were commercial misfires, selling less than half a million copies each.

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Snell’s outing was a grind from the start, with Rushing misfiring to first base for an error in the first inning and Betts reacting slowly to a ground ball at shortstop to extend the second.

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Discovery three years ago was a misfire that eroded the value of some of the industry’s most premium brands.

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Related Words

• backfire 
• fall flat 
• fizzle 
• flop