1. fails to fire or ignite properly
Usage: third person singular present of misfire
2. fails to achieve the intended result or effect
Usage: figurative use

1. instances of failing to fire properly or achieve intended results
Usage: plural of misfire

Examples

• The old car’s engine misfires on cold mornings.
• His joke misfires and offends the audience instead of making them laugh.
• The rifle misfires during the hunting trip.
• Her plan to surprise him misfires when he comes home early.
• The mechanic counted three misfires in the engine test.
• Several misfires occurred during the fireworks display.
• The campaign’s strategy misfires and loses voter support.