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miss fire

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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.

See also: fire, miss

miss fire

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

2. To fail to achieve the anticipated result.

See also: fire, miss