miss fire

Idioms and Phrases

Fail to achieve the anticipated result, as in Recycling cardboard seemed like a good idea but it missed fire . First recorded in 1727, this phrase originally described a firearm failing to go off and has been used figuratively since the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

Theres lots o marksmen in this world cant even make a gun go off, an yet they cant miss fire in the next world.

From Project Gutenberg

An ordinary gun might miss fire—such things have been known before now—but a cornstalk gun, never!

From Project Gutenberg

Just then the thought occurred to me, “What would be my fate should my gun miss fire?”

From Project Gutenberg

I prayed that my arm might be nerved, that my hand might not tremble, and that my rifle might not miss fire.

From Project Gutenberg

"I seldom miss fire," said Mr. Symmes, with a look of honest pride.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abort
• fall through