📏 A Miss is as Good as a Mile 📏
Definition: Falling short by a small amount feels just as disappointing as falling short by a large one.
Proverbs, Expressions, & Common Phrases:
- “Close but no cigar”
- “Almost doesn’t count”
- “No second prize for second place”
- “A near miss”
Humor-Filled Quote:
“Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
Literature Example:
- Sir Walter Scott, Journal (Dec. 3, 1825): “He was very near being a poet—but a miss is as good as a mile, and he always fell short of the mark.”
Proverb:
“Falling short by an inch is as lamentable as falling short by a mile.”
Synonyms:
- “Close yet so far”
- “Fell short”
- “Just missed it”
Antonyms:
- “Hit the mark”
- “Nailed it”
- “Bulls-eye”
Book: So Close Yet So Far: The Pain of Almost Reaching the Finish Line
Song: Close but No Cigar by Weird Al Yankovic
Movie: Rocky (Think of all those training montages where he almost fell short but kept pushing)
Poetry: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (Reflect on choices and near-misses)
Intriguing Quizzes to Spark Thought
### Which of these sayings means almost succeeding but still failing?
- [x] Close but no cigar
- [ ] Frogs and princes
- [ ] Dancing in the moonlight
- [ ] Sipping dandelion tea
> **Explanation:** "Close but no cigar" signifies nearly winning but ultimately failing, originating from carnival games where real cigars were the top prizes.
### What does "a miss is as good as a mile" emphasize?
- [x] Even a small failure feels like a big one
- [ ] Success is guaranteed to everyone
- [ ] Victory isn't everything
- [ ] Flights should be booked in advance
> **Explanation:** It underscores that narrowly missing success feels as disappointing as missing it by a wide margin.
### True or False: "Almost doesn't count" suggests partial success is still significant.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Almost doesn't count" implies that if you didn't achieve complete success, it's as if you didn't succeed at all.
### Which phrase is synonymous with "a miss is as good as a mile"?
- [x] Close but no cigar
- [ ] Birds of a feather
- [ ] Don't count your chickens
- [ ] All that glitters isn't gold
> **Explanation:** "Close but no cigar" fittingly describes the sentiment of nearly succeeding but ultimately falling short.
### Finish the saying: 'A miss is as good as...'
- [x] a mile.
- [ ] a petunia.
- [ ] a jump.
- [ ] a song.
> **Explanation:** "A miss is as good as a mile" is the complete saying. It means falling short is equally disappointing regardless of the measure of shortfall.
In wrapping up our exploration of the proverbial nearly-moments in life, may you embrace and learn from every “almost” you encounter. Remember, each near-miss is a lesson masquerading as a misstep. Keep aiming high and savor the journey!
Yours in wit and wisdom,
Charlotte Cliche
October 1, 2023
