So near and yet so far
phrase
To have been very close to achieving a goal but then fall short.
Alice practiced hard for the competition but was eliminated in the finals. It was a case of so near and yet so far for her.
Often appears as...
- missed by a whisker
- a hair's breadth away
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
A comment on how two things can be physically close, but separated by circumstances.
John and Daisy loved each other but he was from a rival gang. They were so near and yet so far from each other.
Often appears as...
- physically close
- emotionally distant
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To have been very close to achieving a goal but then fall short.
Alice practiced hard for the competition but was eliminated in the finals. It was a case of so near and yet so far for her.
Often appears as...
- missed by a whisker
- a hair's breadth away
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
A comment on how two things can be physically close, but separated by circumstances.
John and Daisy loved each other but he was from a rival gang. They were so near and yet so far from each other.
Often appears as...
- physically close
- emotionally distant
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase often symbolizes frustration of coming close to success but ultimately failing.
He was two points from victory before losing the match—so near and yet so far.
Pro Tip 2/3Express Disappointment
Use it to express a sense of disappointment after not achieving a hard-fought goal.
After studying for weeks and still not passing the test, it was so near and yet so far.
Pro Tip 3/3Dramatic Moments
It's especially powerful in describing moments where the outcome was almost changed.
The ball hit the post in the last second of the game—so near and yet so far from glory.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase often symbolizes frustration of coming close to success but ultimately failing.
He was two points from victory before losing the match—so near and yet so far.
Pro Tip 2/3Express Disappointment
Use it to express a sense of disappointment after not achieving a hard-fought goal.
After studying for weeks and still not passing the test, it was so near and yet so far.
Pro Tip 3/3Dramatic Moments
It's especially powerful in describing moments where the outcome was almost changed.
The ball hit the post in the last second of the game—so near and yet so far from glory.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase often symbolizes frustration of coming close to success but ultimately failing.
He was two points from victory before losing the match—so near and yet so far.
Pro Tip 2/3Express Disappointment
Use it to express a sense of disappointment after not achieving a hard-fought goal.
After studying for weeks and still not passing the test, it was so near and yet so far.
Pro Tip 3/3Dramatic Moments
It's especially powerful in describing moments where the outcome was almost changed.
The ball hit the post in the last second of the game—so near and yet so far from glory.
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