From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmisfiremis‧fire /ˌmɪsˈfaɪə $ -ˈfaɪr/ verb [intransitive] 1 SUCCESSFUL#if a plan or joke misfires, it goes wrong and does not have the result that you intended → backfire His attempt at a joke misfired. I was worried that the plan might misfire.2 TTCif an engine misfires, the petrol mixture does not burn at the right time3 PMWSHOOTif a gun misfires, the bullet does not come out→ See Verb table
