/ ˌmɪsˈfaɪə(r); NAmE / verb [ v ]
1.
( of a plan or joke ) to fail to have the effect that you had intended
SYN go wrong
2.
(also miss ) ( of an engine ) to not work correctly because the petrol / gas does not burn at the right time
3.
( of a gun, etc. ) to fail to send out a bullet, etc. when fired
—compare backfire