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close but no cigar (/kləʊs bʌt nəʊ sɪˈɡɑː(r)/)

Idiom Success and Failure
Card page
close a deal close development gaps

Meaning

Almost correct or successful but not quite

Usage

Used to describe a situation where someone was close to achieving something but ultimately failed

Example Sentences

He was close to winning the competition, but close but no cigar.

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Related Vocabularies

but

to hit or push with the head or horns; to strike forcefully

close

To shut something (verb); near in space or relationship (adjective).

no

used to give a negative response or to show disagreement

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said when someone appears just as you mention them

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a piece of evidence that clearly proves guilt

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the process customers go through from awareness to purchase

nip it in the bud

to stop a problem before it gets worse

in no time

very quickly; almost immediately

all in the same boat

in the same situation or facing the same challenges

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