misfire

American  

[mis-fiuhr, mis-fahy^uhr] / mɪsˈfɪər, ˈmɪsˌfaɪər /

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.

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noun

1. an act or instance of misfiring.

misfire British  

/ 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

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noun

1. the act or an instance of misfiring

Etymology

Origin of misfire

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

Example Sentences

It’s hard to say if the material just misfired for O’Connor or if he’s just an awkward fit for “SNL,” but unfortunately what stood out in the episode had little to do with him.

From Los Angeles Times

After years of misfires, artificial-intelligence hacking tools have become dangerously good.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2018, he shepherded a major reorganization of Annapurna after the company stumbled into hundreds of millions in losses amid several box office misfires.

From Los Angeles Times

After years of misfires in my efforts to bring gifts home from my travels—plastic keychains that disappear into junk drawers, T-shirts worn only once—I’ve accepted a simple truth.

From The Wall Street Journal

There have been other times when earthquake early warnings have misfired.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• backfire
• fall flat
• fizzle
• flop