close, but no cigar

Expression used when someone got so close to accomplish something... but didn't really accomplish it.

Let's say you think of a number from 1 to 100 and ask someone to guess that number... You thought of 83 but the other person says 84... And then you say "Close, but no cigar".

This expression comes from a Golf tradition... If you're playing golf with your friends and instead of working the ball into the hole with a few drives you make it in a single play... you're friends are supposed to buy you a cigar after the game...

- Guess who I took for dinner last night?
+ My sister?
- Close, but no cigar.
+ Who then?
- Your Mama.

close, but no cigar by birk123 December 9, 2008

Close but no cigar 

When you come close to something but don't quite get there.

Just short of success

This phrase originated in the 1920's. Fair grounds would give cigars away as prizes. Prizes were more aimed at the adults then vs. children like they are now. The fair workers would shout out "close but no cigar".... The first written documentation of this word appeared in the 1930's and then became a common phrase.

You finish second in a race
A friend asks how you did
You tell them "I finished in second place, close but no cigar"

Close but no cigar by BBJ24 June 6, 2015

Close but no cigar. 

It means that your incredibly close to doing something incredible, but ya failed! so, you’re close but...
No cigar!

Macy: Hey, i almost won the presidential election, but this twat named Jack did.
Blaire: Well, *chuckles* you’re close but no cigar.

Close but no cigar. by history fan, lmao November 28, 2020

Close but no cigar 

In the 19 century cigars were given as prizes at county fairs. If you didn’t win they would shout. “Close but no cigar!”

I came in second place. Close but no cigar.

Close but no cigar by Mzbinks October 12, 2018

close but no cigarre 

1. Close, but not quite.(The most commonly used one)
2. Fall just short of a successful outcome and get nothing for your efforts.

Origin: The phrase, and its variant 'nice try, but no cigar', are of US origin and date from the mid-20th century. Fairground stalls gave out cigars as prizes, and this is the most likely source, although there's no definitive evidence to prove that.

Good guy: I've finally solved your riddle! It's 52!

Bad guy: Close but no cigarre! It's 68!

Good guy: You bastard!

close but no cigarre by din0-n00beffect May 27, 2010