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misfire

misfire {v.}

To fail to appeal; fall flat.

The standup comic's jokes misfired with the audience.

Compare: GO OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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go over like a lead balloon

[go over like a lead balloon] {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail to generate a positive response or enthusiasm; to meet with boredom or disapproval. * /The president's suggested budget cuts […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

fall flat

[fall flat] {v.}, {informal} To be a failure; fail. * /The party fell flat because of the rain./ * /His joke fell flat because no one understood it./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

balloon

[balloon] See: [TRIAL BALLOON], [LEAD BALLOON]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

backfire

[backfire] {v.} To misfire; to have a reverse effect from what was intended. * /Mimi's gossip about the Head of the Department backfired wizen people began to mistrust her./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

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