What is close but no cigar?

The idiom "close but no cigar" describes a situation where someone nearly succeeds at something, but ultimately fails. It highlights the frustration of coming very close to achieving a goal without actually reaching it.

• Origin: The phrase originates from fairground games or contests, where a cigar was often offered as a prize for winning. Coming close to winning, but failing, meant no cigar.

• Meaning: It's used to express near misses, near victories, or close calls where the desired outcome isn't achieved. The implied sentiment is one of disappointment, albeit sometimes with a touch of humor.

• Usage: It can be applied in various contexts, such as:

  • Sports: A team losing a game by a narrow margin.
  • Competitions: Someone almost winning a prize.
  • Negotiations: A deal falling through at the last minute.
  • Job applications: Getting to the final interview stage but not getting the job.

• Synonyms: Near miss, almost, so close, just shy of, a whisker away.

• Related Concepts: The saying often relates to concepts like <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Resilience">resilience</a>, <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Perseverance">perseverance</a> and dealing with <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Disappointment">disappointment</a>. It acknowledges effort and progress while emphasizing the importance of achieving the ultimate goal.