Smoking What is the origin and meaning of close but no cigar?
From the practice of giving cigars as prizes at carnivals in the US in the 20th century; this phrase would be said to those who failed to win a prize.
What movie is close but no cigar from?
Annie Oakley
What does close but no banana mean?
Close, but no banana Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries. Slang Dictionaries. Australian Slang. phrase indicating that someone has made a good, but nevertheless incorrect, guess.
Where did the phrase sit tight come from?
The tight aspect of this idiom, most likely, comes from when it was common in the Western world to have a bed frame made of ropes strung equally apart both horizontally and vertically in the frame. One would tighten the ropes before getting into bed to assure the mattress laid on the ropes as straight as possible.
What does cut the Chase mean?
to get to the point without wasting time
What does nice but no cigar mean?
You say close but no cigar or nice try but no cigar to mean that someone is almost correct or that they have almost been successful, but are not quite correct or successful. Note: In the past, cigars were sometimes given as prizes at fairs. …
What does sorry no dice mean?
Phrase. no dice. (idiomatic) An unacceptable alternative. (idiomatic) An unfavorable result. (informal) Used to express a negative outcome or decision.
What does chip on your shoulder mean?
To have a chip on one’s shoulder refers to the act of holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes disputation. It can also mean a person thinking too much of oneself (often without the credentials) or feeling entitled.
What does the idiom cut the mustard mean?
(idiomatic) To suffice; to be good or effective enough. Give me the bigger hammer. This little one just doesn’t cut the mustard.
What is the term scott free mean?
: completely free from obligation, harm, or penalty.
Why do we say uncle?
It seems that while “crying uncle” is today regarded as an Americanism, its origins go all the way back to the Roman Empire. … Roman children, when beset by a bully, would be forced to say “Patrue, mi Patruissimo,” or “Uncle, my best Uncle,” in order to surrender and be freed.
Where did the term sweating bullets come from?
To sweat bullets is to sweat profusely, with giant drops, but the phrase’s origin may be more complicated than the drops resembling bullets. The Word Detective believes the expression evolved from “sweating blood,” which refers back to Jesus’ fateful walk in the Bible.10 мая 2016 г.