Close, but no cigar

Neil Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I’m Neil and joining me is Feifei…

Feifei Hi there everyone.

Neil
In this programme we have an expression you can use when someone has almost succeeded - but not quite. Now Feifei, could you just pass me that lighter, please?

Feifei
Lighter? What on earth are you doing with that cigar? You can’t smoke in here!

Neil
It’s a clue. You have to guess what the expression is.

Feifei
Oh OK. Is it ‘to smoke like a chimney?’

Neil
Close, but no cigar.

Feifei
OK, is it ‘no smoke without fire’?

Neil
Close, but no cigar.

Feifei
Oh, I give up!

Neil
I’ve told you twice already - it’s ‘close, but no cigar.’ If someone almost succeeds - but not quite - you can say to them ‘close, but no cigar.’ Here are some examples.

Examples A: How old do you think I am?

B: 36?

A: Nope - 35. Close, but no cigar.

Five of my numbers came up in the lottery. Close, but no cigar.

They hit the post in the last second of the game. Close, but no cigar!

Neil So, there we go. If someone almost succeeds, but doesn’t quite, we can say to them ‘close, but no cigar.’

Feifei Right, well you can put that cigar away now we’ve finished.

Neil Actually, it’s a really good one - shame to waste it.

Feifei Neil!

Neil
Uh oh!