Close, but No Cigar

Someone can say, "close, but no cigar" if you get near to accomplishing something but fall just short of your ultimate objective. The origins of this idiom are not proven by any concrete evidence. The Long Island Daily Press published the story in 1929, making it the first recorded print occurrence. The majority of individuals, however, think that the expression predates that and that it originated from American carnival games in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Since most of these games were created for adults back then rather than kids, winning a cheap plush animal definitely wouldn't pique their attention. As a result, adult incentives were available, with cigars being one of the most popular ones. The phrase "close, but no cigar" was used to console players who lost those games because they were frequently on the point of winning before failing, and it also served as motivation for them to pay and try their luck again.