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AE 1212 - Expression: Close But No Cigar

Aussie English

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Close but No Cigar

The expression close but no cigar is used to say that a guess or an attempt or something was almost right or it almost happened but just didn't. It originates back in the 1920s when carnivals would hand out cigars as prizes. Carnival games were very difficult to win and the stand owner would simply shout at the phrase when the player miserably failed to win. Imagine you go fishing one day with your mates, right? So they get some fish on the line, they start reeling them in, they get them in the boat and they're just like, whoo, we caught some epic fish but you're still waiting. So after 30 minutes or so say that you've done that

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