so close (and) yet so far

1. Some outcome is or was very close to happening, but it will not, may not, or did not happen, and therefore it seems like it is or was never so close. They reached the semifinals, only to have their championship dreams dashed by a crushing 4-0 defeat. So close, yet so far.

2. One is very close to completing or succeeding at something, but there is still difficult work to do before that can happen. I finished the rough draft of my thesis, but I still have to edit and proofread it. I'm so close and yet so far.

See also: close, far, yet

See also:

so near (and) yet so far
so near and yet so far
be close to the mark
be close to/near the mark
close to the mark
too close to call
closing
come close
come to a close
close enough to use the same toothpick

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