Idiom B1–B2

Close but No Cigar

Almost succeeding but ultimately failing to reach the goal

Meaning

Close but no cigar — Said when someone comes very near to success but does not quite achieve it. The idiom acknowledges the effort and near-miss without granting the reward.

Origin & History

The phrase originates from American fairground stalls in the early 20th century. Cigars were a popular prize at shooting galleries and ring-toss games. If a player came close to winning but missed the target, the stall keeper would say "close, but no cigar" — meaning you nearly won, but not quite good enough to earn the prize.

The expression entered wider everyday English by the 1930s. It appeared in Hollywood films of the era and gradually spread to sports commentary, business language, and casual conversation. Today it is used in any situation where someone falls just short of a goal.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
She got 9 out of 10 on the test — close, but no cigar.Academic result just below the top score
His free kick hit the post. Close but no cigar for the home side.Sports commentary on a near-miss
We bid on the contract but lost it to a rival by a narrow margin — close, but no cigar.Business negotiation falling short
"I guessed the password on my third attempt." "Close but no cigar — you only get two tries."Casual dialogue about a failed attempt
The team finished second in the championship. A great season, but close but no cigar.End-of-season summary

How to Use It

Use this idiom to acknowledge that someone came very near to succeeding — but ultimately did not. It is warmer in tone than simply saying "you failed"; it gives credit for the effort. Common in sports, games, exams, business pitches, and everyday conversation.

The idiom is typically said by an observer commenting on someone else's near-miss, not by the person themselves. It can be sympathetic or gently teasing depending on your tone.

Conversation example:
A: "I almost convinced the client. They said they'd think about it."
B: "Close but no cigar — until they sign, it's not a deal."

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

He didn't even show up to the interview — close but no cigar.

He interviewed well but lost the job offer to another candidate — close but no cigar. (The idiom is for near-misses only, not complete failures.)

Close but no sugar / close but no prize.

Close but no cigar. (The fixed phrase always uses "cigar" — do not substitute other words.)

I made close but no cigar on the exam.

I came close on the exam but no cigar — I missed a pass by two marks. (The idiom is a set phrase; do not break it up mid-sentence.)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Close but No Cigar" mean?
"Close but no cigar" means almost succeeding but ultimately failing to reach the goal. It is said when someone comes very near to success — but does not quite make it. The focus is on the near-miss, not the failure itself.
Where does the idiom "Close but No Cigar" come from?
The phrase originates from American fairground stalls in the early 20th century. Cigars were a common prize at shooting galleries and ring-toss games. If a player came close but missed, the stall keeper would say "close, but no cigar" — meaning you nearly won, but not quite. The phrase entered everyday English by the 1930s and is now used in any context of a near-miss.
Can you give an example of "Close but No Cigar" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "She got 9 out of 10 on the test — close, but no cigar." It is used whenever someone almost achieves something but falls just short of the target.
Is "Close but No Cigar" formal or informal?
Informal. It is common in spoken English, casual writing, sports commentary, and everyday conversation. Avoid it in formal academic or business writing where precise language is expected.
What CEFR level is "Close but No Cigar"?
This idiom is typically introduced at B1–B2 level. Learners at B1 can understand it in context; B2 learners are usually expected to use it actively in speaking and writing.
What are common mistakes with "Close but No Cigar"?
The most common mistake is using it for a complete failure rather than a near-miss. The idiom specifically means you came very close — not that you failed outright. Another mistake is substituting "cigar" for another word (e.g. "close but no sugar"). The fixed phrase is always "cigar".
What idioms are similar to "Close but No Cigar"?
Similar idioms include: "so near and yet so far", "almost there", "back to the drawing board" (when you must start again after failure), and "miss by a mile" (for a much larger failure). These all describe falling short of a goal, though the exact shade of meaning varies.
How do I practise idioms like "Close but No Cigar"?
LexFizz's Matching Pairs and Quiz exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences and listen for the idiom in sports broadcasts, films, and podcasts where near-miss situations are common.
Can "Close but No Cigar" be used in writing?
Yes, but keep it to informal or semi-formal writing such as blog posts, opinion pieces, or sports reports. Avoid it in academic essays, formal letters, or professional reports where idiomatic language is out of place. Idioms generally work best in spoken English or informal writing.
Does "Close but No Cigar" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes. Although the phrase has American roots (fairground culture), it is widely understood and used in British English too, with the same meaning: you came close but did not succeed. It appears regularly in British sports commentary and journalism.