hang fire

== English == === Verb === hang fire (third-person singular simple present hangs fire, present participle hanging fire, simple past and past participle hung fire) (of a firearm) To fail to fire immediately when the trigger is pulled. (figuratively) To wait or hold back. === Noun === hang fire (plural hang fires) (firearms) The situation when a gun does not immediately fire when the trigger is pulled, but may fire shortly after. ==== Usage notes ==== If the gun does not fire at all when triggered, the term misfire is normally used. ==== Alternative forms ==== hangfire, hang-fire