misfire

[ verb mis-fiuhr; noun mis-fahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, mis·fired, mis·fir·ing.

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

The Electoral College has a misfire rate of five out of the 59 presidential elections in American history, delivering the Oval Office to the popular vote loser twice this century.

From Salon

Just a few weeks after the Republican midterm misfire, it put the former president in the headlines when many were still wondering if he had lost his political instincts.

From BBC

Things had been all too easy for Gabriel before that misfire on a play in which his intended receiver fell down.

From Los Angeles Times

Opening with an apparent verbal misfire, Trump brought out independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who he called “an incredible champion for so many of these values that we all share.”

From Salon

Those are a little harder in general to misfire or mess up with.

From Salon

Related Words

• backfire
• fall flat
• fizzle
• flop