| Definitions | idiom
- (idiom) that's almost correct, but not quite
Translations: - French: presque réussi, mais raté
(trans-mid)
- German: knapp daneben ist auch vorbei.
Etymology: From the practice of giving cigars as prizes at carnivals in the US in the 19th century; this phrase would be said to those who failed to win a prize.<!--No need for so much verbiage:This phrase developed in 19th century United States, at carnivals. Often, winners of games of strength received a cigar as a prize. If a player failed to win, the carnival worker would tell him or her "Close, but no cigar". Over time, this phrase came to represent a broader exclamation of encouragement.-->

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