close, but no cigar UK /ˈkləʊs bʌt nəʊ sɪˈɡɑː/US /ˈkloʊs bʌt noʊ sɪˈɡɑɹ/ phrase1 •(informal) Used to indicate that one is almost correct or has almost succeeded, but not quite.Betty ran all out in the sprint race; yet, it was close, but no cigar.
