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close, but no cigar

idiom

Used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite.


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a cigar is just a cigar

    The matter is simple and straightforward.

  2. 02

    close enough for government work

    Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.

  3. 03

    close in on

    To enclose around; to tighten or shrink; to collapse.

  4. 04

    close on the heels of

    Near in time or place; very close.

  5. 05

    close one eye

    to look the other way, to deliberately ignore or overlook (a mistake or transgression).

  6. 06

    close one's eyes

    To ignore something.

  7. 07

    close one's mind

    To refuse to understand things.

  8. 08

    close season

    A situation or period in which some activity is forbidden or discontinued.

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