close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades

A form of close only counts in horseshoes — Coming close to achieving a goal is not good enough.

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Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of close only counts in horseshoes.
Cite this entry
APA

close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/close%20only%20counts%20in%20horseshoes%20and%20hand%20grenades

MLA

“close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/close%20only%20counts%20in%20horseshoes%20and%20hand%20grenades. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/close%20only%20counts%20in%20horseshoes%20and%20hand%20grenades.

Source: close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.