close but so far

USAGE SUMMARY

"close but so far" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is almost successful in achieving a goal, but ultimately falls short. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as describing a near miss, a failed attempt, or a missed opportunity. Example: After months of training, Sarah came in second place at the race - close but so far from her goal of winning first place.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"You know when you're so close, but so far?" he said before driving away.

The New York Times

We gave it everything we had but to be so close but so far away in the end is horrible.

The Guardian - Sport

Sure there are cracks, and yes, I've definitely come close, but so far I've never fallen through.

The New York Times - Travel

Playing at an alive place like the SBC Center in a city like San Antonio, or playing in an antiseptic arena, so close but so far from New York.

The New York Times - Sports

So close, but so far.

BBC

The tension of being so close but so far is heart-wrenching.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Other riffs played on the idea that, with its long-nailed ladies driving Mazdas and its close-but-so-far relationship to Manhattan, Fort Lee was about the least cool place on the planet.

The New Yorker

He said his funding period had not closed, but so far he has raised $13,000, which was what he needed and worked out to less than 1 percent of his income.

The New York Times

Realistically the club might lose some of their proven Premier League performers before the transfer window closes but so far pretty much all of their key players remain.

BBC

"It is still early and it is a very close race, but so far he is not bringing much change to the polls".

The New York Times

Mr. Bush, while refusing direct talks with North Korea, began six-party talks to put pressure on the North from its closest neighbors, but so far the sessions have made no concrete progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close but so far" to succinctly capture the frustration and irony of being near success yet ultimately failing.

Common error

Avoid using "close but so far" in situations where the outcome is neutral or positive; the phrase is most effective when conveying disappointment or a sense of lost opportunity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close but so far" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as an adjective phrase to describe a situation. According to Ludwig, it is used to express the disappointment of being near success but ultimately falling short, something verifiable across several examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Sports

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close but so far" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that encapsulates the feeling of near success coupled with ultimate failure. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to express disappointment or irony when a goal is almost achieved. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. Alternatives like "almost there but not quite" or "so near and yet so far" offer similar connotations. Therefore, use "close but so far" when you want to succinctly convey the bittersweet sentiment of nearly achieving a goal, while being mindful of its emotional weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost there but not quite

Emphasizes the nearness of success and the disappointment of falling short.

so near and yet so far

Highlights the paradoxical feeling of proximity and distance from a goal.

a hair's breadth away

Indicates a very small margin between success and failure.

within reach but unattainable

Focuses on the desirability of the goal and the inability to achieve it.

just out of grasp

Emphasizes the effort to obtain something that remains elusive.

a near miss

Highlights the fact that the goal was nearly achieved, with a neutral tone.

failed by a narrow margin

Focuses on the small degree of failure, often in a competitive context.

not quite enough

Simple and direct, indicating a deficiency that prevented success.

close but no cigar

An idiomatic expression conveying disappointment at a near win, casual tone.

almost made it

Highlights the action of making it to the goal, but failing to reach it.

FAQs

What does "close but so far" mean?

The phrase "close but so far" describes a situation where someone or something is near to achieving a goal, but ultimately falls short. It often conveys a sense of frustration or disappointment.

How can I use "close but so far" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team fought hard, but they were "close but so far" from winning the championship." It illustrates being on the verge of victory without actually achieving it.

What are some alternatives to "close but so far"?

Alternatives include "almost there but not quite", "so near and yet so far", or "a near miss". All express a similar sentiment of coming close to success but failing.

Is "close but so far" grammatically correct?

Yes, "close but so far" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in English to describe a situation where something is nearly achieved but ultimately not attained.