close but no cigar
Meaning
You came very near to success but did not actually achieve it; an almost-win or near miss.
Origin
Often linked to early-20th-century American fairs/carnivals where cigars were given as prizes; if you nearly won, you were “close” but got “no cigar.”
Notes
Means “almost succeeded.” Often teasing or lightly disappointed; can sound dismissive if someone worked hard, so use tact. Mostly informal/casual.
Examples
-
I almost guessed the password on my first try—close but no cigar.
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We finished second in the tournament, so it was close but no cigar.
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Your explanation is nearly correct, but close but no cigar.
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The prototype worked in testing, but it’s close but no cigar for a real launch.
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I found the right street, but the wrong building—close but no cigar.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: “close but no cigar.” Often used as a stand-alone comment or after a clause (“It was close, but no cigar.”). Rarely altered; keep “but no cigar.”
Synonyms
- almost
- near miss
- so close
- just missed it
- came up short
Antonyms
- hit the nail on the head
- get it right
- nailed it