Close but no Cigar
The phrase means coming close to a goal but falling short or getting nothing for your efforts, and it originated in the mid-20th century U.S. At the time, carnivals used to give out cigars as prizes. Many booths were set up at these fairgrounds where people played games in order to win the prizes, but if a player did not beat the game, then the vendor might say “close” or “nice try, but no cigar.”