# close, but no cigar

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/close-but-no-cigar
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- You were close, but no cigar.
- He almost hits the target, but it is close, but no cigar.
- I guessed the password correctly on the third try, but the first two attempts were close, but no cigar.
- The runner almost broke the world record by half a second, but it was close, but no cigar.
- Your answer to the math problem is only one digit off, so it is close, but no cigar.
- She thought she had finally won the auction, but a last-minute bidder offered five dollars more, so it was close, but no cigar.
- Although the team reached the final round of the competition, they ultimately fell short; it was close, but no cigar.

## Origin

The phrase originates in the United States during the 20th century, a reference to the practice of awarding cigars as prizes at carnivals. Those who were moderately successful in a game of skill but failed to achieve the winning threshold were denied the tobacco, their performance deemed insufficient for a reward. The phrase records the specific disappointment of being nearly adequate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.