Close, but no cigar
/kləʊs bət nəʊ sɪˈɡɑː/informalUS · UK
What does “Close, but no cigar” mean?
Close, but no cigar means almost successful or correct, but not quite
A runner who finishes a fraction of a second too late was close, but no cigar. The phrase recognises how near success was while making clear that it did not happen.
It can also answer a guess in a game. Avoid it when someone needs sympathy after a serious disappointment.
When do people say it?
Use it after a near miss or an almost-correct guess. It can sound teasing or dismissive if someone worked hard.
“We lost the final by one point: close, but no cigar.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in US and UK.
Where does it come from?
Collins links the phrase to cigars given as prizes at fairground contests. A near miss did not earn the prize.
Origin confidence: Reasonably documented
How do you say “Close, but no cigar” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Miss the boat, To be too late for an opportunity.
Last updated 2026-10-01