mis·fire 
/ˌmɪsˈfajɚ/ verb
mis·fires; mis·fired; mis·fir·ing /ˌmɪsˈfajɚ/ verb [no obj] 1 of an engine : to fail to work properly because the fuel mixture burns at the wrong time 2 of a gun : to fail to fire properly : to fail to shoot a bullet 3 : to fail to have an intended effect : to fail to work properly
▪ The plan/joke misfired. [=the plan/joke did not have the effect it was meant to have]
▪ The plan/joke misfired. [=the plan/joke did not have the effect it was meant to have]
— misfire noun, plural misfires [count]
▪ an engine misfire ▪ The joke was an unfortunate misfire.
▪ an engine misfire ▪ The joke was an unfortunate misfire.
