Today’s ‘Phone it in Friday’ is a link to one of my favorite websites, with a couple of examples blatantly lifted from it….
It’s a website which explains the origins of cliches and other terms, which I think is called ‘HaveOrigins’.
Close but no cigar
Meaning: Nearly achieving success, but not quite.
Example: That free throw was close but no cigar.
Origin: Carnival games of skill, particularly shooting games, once gave out cigars as a prize. A contestant that did not quite hit the target was close, but did not get a cigar.