close, but no cigar
Nearly got it
Close, but no cigar acknowledges a near miss—an attempt that came close to succeeding but ultimately failed.
The phrase alludes to carnival games that once awarded cigars as prizes: You almost had the answer—close, but no cigar.
It softens disappointment with a touch of encouragement, recognizing effort while noting it fell short.
- almostShort of completely
- nearlyAlmost but incomplete
- not quiteSlightly short of completely
- missFail to reach
- nice tryIronic concession to failure
failure · tantalizingly · shortfall · attempt · prize · carnival · game · swing · strike · effort · disappointment · tough break · narrow · inch · hairbreadth · runner-up · second place · second best
close, but no cigarbullseye
Exact center target
bingo · nailed it · hit the nail on the head · spot on · winner
close, but no cigarnot even close
Extremely inaccurate assessment
way off · nowhere near · miles away · wide of the mark · struck out
close, closed, closer, closest, closely, closeness, closing, closure, enclose