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Close but No Cigar

Close but No Cigar

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Close but No Cigar--booths with Farris wheel in backgroundEvery summer of my childhood, I looked forward to a county fair. Several booths offered games with prizes. When I failed to win, the booth operator occasionally said, “Close but no cigar.”

Close but no cigar means almost, but not quite, successful.

That happens when we:

  • Barely miss the bull’s eye on a target
  • Almost win a contest
  • Make a close but incorrect answer

Years ago, cigars were a frequent prize.

The Free Dictionary says, “This expression comes from the old US custom of giving a cigar as a prize in fairground games of skill.”

Close but no cigar can encourage or discourage.

Some of us try again and try harder. Others give up in defeat.

Keep working toward worthwhile goals.

Don’t worry about what matters little. Trinkets from fairs rarely last. Focus on goals with eternal value.

Everyone falls short of perfection.

We miss the mark in life. For that reason, Jesus, the only perfect one, came to pay the price for our imperfections. Jesus offers life’s greatest prize, forgiveness for our sins and eternal life with Him.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:23; 6:23 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Klotz, Lindy Pierce, and Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.

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Bring Home the Bacon

Bring Home the Bacon

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Bring Home the Bacon--children chasing a greased pigYears ago, a husband’s job was to bring home the bacon. Wives took care of the home and children. Today, they often share those responsibilities.

To bring home the bacon means to earn money.

In most cases, the person:

  • Has a job
  • Receives a salary
  • Provides for the family or others

Bring home the bacon also means to be successful.

The person wins or achieves desired results. That holds true in both employment and sports. The bacon may include:

  • A prize
  • Position
  • Money

Two possible origins frequently appear for this expression.

  1. In greased pig contests, whoever catches the pig often receives it as a prize. That occurs at county fairs and other special events.
  2. In the twelfth century, people who proved devotion to their marriage were awarded a pig.

Hard work offers great rewards.

Bringing home the bacon in the form of a paycheck is nice, but so is the satisfaction of a job well done. Everyone benefits from quality work. The fruit of good labor is sweet indeed.

“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for the suggestion and to Charlie VanLeuven, editor of The Casey County News for the photo.

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Win by a Nose

Win by a Nose

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Win by a Nose-a horse raceTo win by a nose means we barely win.

There is little difference between the winner and loser.

In horse racing, a horse often wins by a nose. Whether the first horse wins by a nose or a great distance, its owner gets the prize. The losers may win another day.

We may or may not run a physical race. Yet, we all compete for prizes:

  • Jobs
  • Grades
  • Gifts
  • Awards

Sometimes we win by a lot. Occasionally we win by a nose, barely getting the prize. Other times we lose.

We all like to win.

Yet, losing can teach us important lessons too:

  • Stay humble
  • Try harder next time
  • Share the joy of other people

Remember: The greatest prize in life is the gift of Jesus’ love, free to all.

“I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us” (Philippians 3:14 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.