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وصلت اللقمة للثم

English translation: close but no cigar


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Arabic term or phrase:وصلت اللقمة للثم
English translation:close but no cigar
Entered by: Khalid W
Options:
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13:38 Jun 18, 2010
Arabic to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Arabic term or phrase: وصلت اللقمة للثم
This is a saying in Lebanon, but unfortunately I have no context for it. Does anyone know what this means in idiomatic English? Thanks!
Khalid W
Local time: 16:05
close but no cigar
Explanation:
-

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Note added at 40 mins (2010-06-18 14:18:35 GMT)
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The arabic expression means: a goal almost reached but missed.

"close but no cigar" comes from the times when cigars were awarded at carnivals as prizes. if one did not do quite well enough, this is the expression that was said and is still said.

Where does the expression "close but no cigar" come from? Mar 6, 2006 ... After all, not everyone wins, but life inevitably goes on. "Close, but no cigar" is a cliché, but it helps comfort those of us who don't ...
ask.yahoo.com/20060306.html - Cached - Similar


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Note added at 1 hr (2010-06-18 14:39:05 GMT)
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I am Lebanese

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Note added at 16 hrs (2010-06-19 06:32:03 GMT)
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It also means: we worked so hard towards XYZ, but in the end it fell through

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Note added at 3 days5 hrs (2010-06-21 19:30:49 GMT)
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another way of putting it is: so close yet unattainable
Selected response from:

sktrans
Local time: 16:05
Grading comment
That's perfect...
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4close but no cigarsktrans
4the bread finally reached the mouthEstherK56
3catered for/looked after/servedMona Helal


  

Answers


24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
catered for/looked after/served


Explanation:
catered for
looked after
served
fed

Mona Helal
Local time: 06:05
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the bread finally reached the mouth


Explanation:
It means that one is finally making some earning or seeing real prosperity after long time hard work and suffering; and when this happen, these blessings (bread) can't be snatched by anyone.

Example sentence(s):
  • Bread finally reached my mouth and there is nothing you can do about
EstherK56
Egypt
Local time: 22:05
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
close but no cigar


Explanation:
-

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 40 mins (2010-06-18 14:18:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The arabic expression means: a goal almost reached but missed.

"close but no cigar" comes from the times when cigars were awarded at carnivals as prizes. if one did not do quite well enough, this is the expression that was said and is still said.

Where does the expression "close but no cigar" come from? Mar 6, 2006 ... After all, not everyone wins, but life inevitably goes on. "Close, but no cigar" is a cliché, but it helps comfort those of us who don't ...
ask.yahoo.com/20060306.html - Cached - Similar


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2010-06-18 14:39:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I am Lebanese

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 hrs (2010-06-19 06:32:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It also means: we worked so hard towards XYZ, but in the end it fell through

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days5 hrs (2010-06-21 19:30:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

another way of putting it is: so close yet unattainable

sktrans
Local time: 16:05
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
That's perfect...
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




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