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close, but no cigar

That's almost correct, but not quite.

Etymology:

  • From the practice of giving cigars as prizes at carnivals in the US in the 19th century; this phrase would be said to those who failed to win a prize.
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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Translation

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blízko, ale žádný doutník

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to close, but no cigar

it's not what you know but who you knowI know you are, but what am Iclose to the windflower not but flowers petal.close upclose to homeclose to the winddown but not outhits pretty close to homeclose outfly too close to the suncome to a closehis knee was really hurt, but it's star…close the face

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