misfire
(Brit. informal)
[verb]
Synonyms: fail, fall through, go wrong, miscarry

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

mis‧fire /ˌmɪsˈfaɪə $ -ˈfaɪr/ verb [intransitive]

1. 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. if an engine misfires, the petrol mixture does not burn at the right time

3. if a gun misfires, the bullet does not come out

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

misfire
verb
ADV. badly Unfortunately their plan misfired badly.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

misfire
v. To fail to appeal; fall flat.
The standup comic's jokes misfired with the audience.
Compare: GO OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲