Close, but no cigar meaning

The phrase "Close, but no cigar" means coming very close to achieving success or winning, but ultimately falling short.


Close, but no cigar definitions

Word backwards ,esolC tub on ragic
Part of speech This phrase is an idiom, not a single word, so it does not have a specific part of speech. However, the word "close" in this phrase functions as an adjective.
Syllabic division Close, but no ci-gar
Plural Closes, but no cigars
Total letters 15
Vogais (5) o,e,u,i,a
Consonants (9) c,l,s,b,t,n,g,r

Close, But No Cigar

Have you ever been in a situation where you were so close to achieving something great, but fell short in the end? This feeling is often described as "close, but no cigar." This expression is used to convey the idea of coming near to success or victory, only to miss out at the last moment.

The Origin of the Phrase

The origin of the phrase "close, but no cigar" can be traced back to the carnival games of the early 20th century. In these games, participants would often win cigars as prizes. If a player came close to winning but didn't quite make it, they would be told "close, but no cigar." This phrase eventually made its way into popular culture as a way to express near misses in any context.

Examples of Use

People use the phrase "close, but no cigar" in a variety of situations. For example, if a sports team narrowly loses a game, fans might say they were close, but no cigar. Similarly, if a student almost gets a perfect score on a test but makes a few mistakes, a teacher might use the phrase to acknowledge their effort while pointing out their mistakes.

Implications of Falling Short

While falling short of a goal can be disappointing, it can also serve as a learning experience. Understanding why you didn't quite make it can help you improve and come closer to success in the future. It's important to not dwell on the missed opportunity but rather use it as motivation to work harder and try again.

Overall, the phrase "close, but no cigar" captures the feeling of being just shy of achieving something significant. Whether in sports, academics, or any other aspect of life, experiencing near misses can be a valuable lesson in resilience and perseverance.


Close, but no cigar Examples

  1. I was close, but no cigar, to winning the race.
  2. The company came close, but no cigar, to meeting their sales targets.
  3. He was close, but no cigar, to solving the puzzle.
  4. The team was close, but no cigar, to scoring a goal in the last minute.
  5. She came close, but no cigar, to winning the talent show.
  6. The student was close, but no cigar, to getting a perfect score on the exam.
  7. We were close, but no cigar, to finding the hidden treasure.
  8. The chef was close, but no cigar, to replicating the famous recipe.
  9. The politician came close, but no cigar, to winning the election.
  10. The team was close, but no cigar, to clinching the championship title.


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  • Updated 21/06/2024 - 05:39:17