Close but No Cigar
Meaning: Almost right or almost successful, but not quite.
“Close but no cigar” means you almost succeeded—but didn’t quite make it. This phrase comes from early 1900s carnival games in the U.S., where cigars were given as prizes. If you failed to win, the booth operator would say, “Close, but no cigar!” Now, we use it when someone comes near success, like missing a question on a quiz or almost winning a race. It’s playful, but a little frustrating!
How to use it
Use it in a light, playful way when someone nearly gets something right: a guess, a quiz answer, a shot in a game. It’s informal and friendly among friends and coworkers. It can sound teasing, so don’t use it when someone is truly disappointed about something important.
Examples
- “Is it 40 dollars?” “Close but no cigar. It’s 45.”
- We finished second. Close but no cigar.
- Your answer was close but no cigar. Try again.
A common mistake
Keep the fixed words: close but no cigar, not “near but no cigar” or “close but not a cigar.” It isn’t about smoking. It only means “almost.”
Where it comes from
It’s American and appeared in print in the 1930s. It’s usually linked to fairground games that gave cigars as prizes, so a player who nearly won got no cigar.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Reader’s Digest