Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades 🤏🐴💣💥
Meaning
You only achieve success if you come very near to it, or in specific contexts where near misses are considered successful.
Origin
This idiom's roots trace back to the early 20th century. The 'horseshoes' part comes from the game of horseshoes, where points are scored by landing the horseshoe near or around a stake – a 'ringer' is a win. The 'hand grenades' element, though, adds a darker, more impactful punch, likely originating from military or close-quarters combat scenarios where a grenade that lands close to a target, but not directly on it, can still be devastatingly effective. It humorously contrasts a casual game with a life-or-death situation to emphasize that 'almost succeeding' is simply not good enough in most real-world applications.
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades represented with emoji🤏🐴💣💥
This playful arrangement of symbols functions as a whimsical reminder that while some endeavors demand absolute victory, others, like a near miss with a tiny horse or a rather large explosion, can sometimes be enough. Note how the judicious selection of tiny horse, pinching fingers, and dynamite underscores the delightful absurdity of success, proving that sometimes, close is indeed an interesting kind of win.
Examples
- I almost finished the race in first place, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
- She was just one point away from winning the scholarship, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
- My friend claimed he could leap over the moon, but it turned out close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
- The wizard's spell was practically perfect, except for the dragon that sprouted polka dots instead of scales; still, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Frequently asked questions
The phrase 'Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades' is considered an idiom. Idioms are phrases where the meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of the words, unlike proverbs which often offer advice or a general truth.
The exact origin of who first said 'Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades' is unknown, but it likely emerged in the early to mid-20th century. Similar sentiments, emphasizing that 'close' isn't good enough, appeared in print before the full phrase became common.
The opposite sentiment of 'Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades' is often expressed by the idea that 'every little bit helps' or 'it's the thought that counts.' These phrases suggest that proximity to a goal or effort itself has value, even without full success.
Yes, the phrase 'Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades' implies that 'almost' is *only* good enough in the specific, often dangerous or game-related, scenarios mentioned. In most other contexts, a near miss is simply a failure.