Literally it means "fizzle out". When the action drags on length and it does not produce the desired effect, it is said to "faire long feu". This phrase has its origin in the middle of the artillery. Formerly, when too wet powder was put in the barrel of a pistol or a rifle to load it, the primer within was consumed very slowly. So the wick could not ignite and couldn't cause the explosion required to propel the ball out of the barrel.
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