miss fire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The hammer that struck this shell didn't hit true; not so far off as to miss fire, you understand, but it ain't in line exactly.

From Hidden Gold by Anthony, Wilder

The missionaries have assigned a very absurd reason for firelocks not being used in China; they say the dampness of the air is apt to make the flint miss fire.

From Travels in China, Containing Descriptions, Observations, and Comparisons, Made and Collected in the Course of a Short Residence at the Imperial Palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen, and on a Subsequent Journey through the Country from Pekin to Canton by Barrow, John, Sir

The thought occurred to him, but what should his gun miss fire?

From Great African Travellers From Mungo Park to Livingstone and Stanley by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Oh, shucks! the best gun'll miss fire once in a lifetime.

From The Long Roll by Johnston, Mary

Knowing, however, that the Arabs’ powder is often very bad, and that, consequently, their weapons frequently miss fire, I felt very doubtful whether such might not be the case on the present occasion.

From Saved from the Sea The Loss of the Viper, and her Crew's Saharan Adventures by Riou, Edouard