no cigar

no cigar

A phrase said when one is almost correct or successful but ultimately fails. Most commonly heard in the phrase "close but no cigar." Cigars were once commonly used as prizes or awards. You all had some very good guesses—they were close but no cigar.
See also: cigar, no
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a penny for them
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • sure as eggs is eggs
  • great minds
  • great minds think alike
  • be twiddling (one's) thumbs
  • be twiddling your thumbs
  • 57
  • Heinz
  • Heinz 57 (variety)
References in periodicals archive
In contrast to cigarettes, there was little newcomer activity and the key importers and distributors remain the same (there is no cigar production in Bulgaria).
New Study: Cigars in Bulgaria
So unfortunately in this contents case, it was close, but no cigar.
Contents Claims Solved: The Case of the Expensive Smoke