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

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

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Critics point to a long list of media merger misfires, including the disastrous AOL Time Warner merger a quarter century ago.

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For once, fortune favoured Sri Lanka, whose campaign had been marred by rain, missed chances and misfiring batters.

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Cohen says that progressives have misfired in their decision to challenge him.

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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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Related Words

• backfire 
• fall flat 
• fizzle 
• flop