What does “Close but no cigar” mean?

"Close but no cigar" means that someone or something has come very close to succeeding, but ultimately fell short.

What context can I use the in?

Example

He came close but no cigar in the final round of the competition.

Example

They were close but no cigar to winning the championship.

Example

She made it close but no cigar to getting the job offer

Is “Close but no cigar” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Close but no cigar” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Close but no cigar” effectively in context?

You can use "Close, But No Cigar" to describe a situation where someone or something falls just short of achieving a goal or desired outcome. Here are three distinct situations where you can use the phrase effectively:

1Sports
Despite their best efforts, the team lost the championship game by one point. It was close, but no cigar for them.
2Academic Achievement
She studied hard for the exam and got a high score, but it was close, but no cigar as she missed the top spot by a few marks.
3Job Interview
He made it to the final round of interviews but didn't get the job. It was close, but no cigar for him.

Similar phrases to “Close but no cigar”:

Almost there

To come close to achieving a goal or desired outcome

Example

She was almost there, but she missed the last step.

Fall short

To fail to reach a goal or expectation

Example

Despite their efforts, they fell short of winning the competition.

Miss the mark

To fail to achieve the desired result or goal

Example

His performance was good, but he missed the mark for first place.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Close but no cigar” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Close, But No Cigar" is unknown. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, possibly in the United States. The phrase is often associated with carnival games where cigars were given as prizes. If a player came close to winning but didn't succeed, they would be told 'close, but no cigar.' Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent almost succeeding, but not quite achieving the desired result.

Is “Close but no cigar” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Close, But No Cigar" is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to express disappointment or acknowledge that someone or something came close to achieving a goal but fell short.

What tone does “Close but no cigar” have?

"Close, But No Cigar" conveys a tone of disappointment or resignation. It implies that although there was effort and progress, the desired result was not achieved.

Can “Close but no cigar” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Close, But No Cigar" is informal and is commonly used in casual conversations. It may not be suitable for formal or professional settings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He tried his best, but it was close, but no cigar.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Close, but no cigar!' to express disappointment.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

narrowly miss
just shy of
almost make it
come close
near miss