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

Yet the widely reported conclusion accepted by most media that fall was that misfired rockets set off by a Palestinian armed group were to blame.

From Salon

However, we don’t know what caused it and there is likely to be damage in some areas across Iran caused by debris or misfiring defence systems.

From BBC

“Part of the reason for them misfiring is the lack of personal confidence,” they add.

From BBC

Related Words

• backfire
• fall flat
• fizzle
• flop