Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

no-cigar

idiomatic expression

/noʊ sɪˈɡɑr/

Definition

An idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone has nearly succeeded but ultimately failed to achieve something.

Examples

After working hard on the project, the team was disappointed to hear that their proposal was rejected; it was ‘no-cigar’ for them this time.
He almost won the race, but when he stumbled at the last turn, it was no-cigar.

Meaning

This phrase implies that while a person may have come close to achieving a goal, they did not quite reach it, similar to a runner finishing just shy of the finish line.