Dictionary

close, but no cigar en · X

Pronunciation

• /ˈkləʊs bʌt nəʊ sɪˈɡɑː/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• (Australia) audio
• /ˈkloʊs bʌt noʊ sɪˈɡɑɹ/ (General-American)

Etymology

From the practice of giving cigars as prizes at carnivals in the United States in the 20th century; those who did not win would fail to receive a cigar, even if they came close.

Meanings

1. (colloquial, idiomatic) Used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite.
   • The long distance trophy [for alumni who had traveled the furthest to attend the reunion], an appropriately inscribed silver cigarette case, was awarded to Em Gooch who had made the trip from Lincoln, Neb. for the occasion. Several other members came close, but no cigar, and we trust that all those in New York and Philadelphia who failed to show up, without reason, will read these lines with a quiver. 1929 July 2, J. C. R., “’28’s First”, in Asa S[mith] Bushnell [III], editor, Princeton Alumni Weekly, volume XXIX, number 36, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1166, column 2:
   • Betty ran all out in the sprint race; yet, it was close, but no cigar.

Forms

Relateds

no cigar

Synonyms

almost doesn't count · a miss is as good as a mile

Translations (30)

pt passou perto, só que não (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · nl bijna telt niet (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · sv nära skjuter ingen hare (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · de dicht daneben ist auch vorbei (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · da lige ved og næsten slår ingen mand af hesten (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · pt ficou no quase (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · ga ní fearr Éire ná orlach (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · da så tæt på og dog så langt fra (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · sl skoraj še ni zajca ujel (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · cmn 功虧一簣 /功亏一篑 (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · lv gandrīz neskaitās (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · cmn 失之毫釐，差之千里 (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · tr neredeyse doğru ama tam olarak değil (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · pl prawie robi wielką różnicę (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · fi melkein muttei ihan (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · no nesten holder ikke (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · cmn 踏錯一步，滿盤皆輸 /踏错一步 (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · cmn 满盘皆输 (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · cmn 就差一點點 /就差一点点 (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · it ci sei quasi (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · es los casis no cuentan (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · ms دکت تق ترچاڤاي, جاءوه تق برانتارا (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · nl het is net niks (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · id dekat tak tercapai, jauh tak berantara (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · pt bateu na trave (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · ja 惜しい (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · de knapp daneben ist auch vorbei (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · fr presque réussi, mais raté (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · es de casi no se muere nadie (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite) · ms dekat tak tercapai, jauh tak berantara (used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite)