miss fire

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.

miss fire

1. To fail to discharge. Used of a firearm.

2. To fail to achieve the anticipated result.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Mirabelle	-	French (Rare), English (Rare)
Parastu	-	Persian
Homeros	-	Ancient Greek
Harriette	HER-ee-ət, HAR-ee-ət	English
Idwal	-	Welsh
Bieito	bee-AY-taw	Galician