almost but not exactly what you had hoped for or wanted.

Vince never got that big win he wanted — it was always close but no cigar.

Etymology: from games of skill or chance in which the person who won would get a cigar as a prize

• throw something into the pot
• throw something on the scrap heap
• throw something together
• throw the baby out with the bath water
• throw the book at
• throw the book at someone
• throw together
• throw to the dogs
• throw to the lions
• throw to the wolves
• throw up
• throw up hands
• throw upon mercy
• throw upon someone's mercy
• throw up something
• throw up your hands
• throw weight around
• throw your hat in the ring
• throw your money around
• throw yourself into
• throw yourself into something
• throw yourself on mercy
• throw yourself on someone's mercy
• throw yourself upon mercy
• throw yourself upon someone's mercy