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Close, but No Cigar

What Does "Close, but No Cigar" Mean?

homeidiomsClose, but No Cigar
"Close, but no cigar" is an English idiom. It means "nearly correct or successful, but not quite."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "close, but no cigar" used in a sentence:
  • Your guess was close, but no cigar.
  • We almost clinched the deal—close, but no cigar.
  • She was close to setting a new record, but no cigar this time.
meaning for close, but no cigar

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Close, but No Cigar" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

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