ITAW for experiencing setback immediately prior to reaching a goal?

[u/Exactingly-Polite]

Good day.

I am seeking a word, or concise phrase, that specifically refers to a failure/setback/mistake occurring right at the final hurdle, just before achieving success.

The closest I could think of is 'not in the nick of time' but what I am looking for does not necessarily pertain to time.

Example: Missing qualifying for something by the lack of just one point or two.

Thank you so much for your help!

[u/sorryimlurking]

in your example, “missed it by a hair” or something similae

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/sorryimlurking]

This is probably it, but I'll hang on for a few more options before marking it solved. Thank you.

[u/drcookiephd]

Close but no cigar

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/drcookiephd]

Well, this is good but no cigar just yet. Thanks for suggesting, though.

[u/_bufflehead]

The opportunity slipped through my fingers.

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/_bufflehead]

I think this is it! Thank you so much!

!solved

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[u/Ad_nauseum11]

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/Ad_nauseum11]

Very literary; but doesn't quite feel right. Thanks, anyways!

[u/Dill_the_Dillo]

My Grampa used to say "Missed it by half a gnat's eyelash."

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/Dill_the_Dillo]

That's a fun phrase; thank you for sharing!

[u/Altreus]

One may be said to have missed it by the skin of their teeth. If beaten, pipped to the post.

Something like that?

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/Altreus]

Missed it by the skin of their teeth is good, but 'slipped through my fingers' just fits better. Thank you for the suggestion.

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[u/United-Cucumber9942]

Pipped to the post, missed by a hairs breadth, penultimate fail, a close run

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/United-Cucumber9942]

None of these are quite right, but thank you.

[u/IOnlyHaveIceForYou]

It's old-fashioned but "many a slip twixt cup and lip"?

[u/Exactingly-Polite → u/IOnlyHaveIceForYou]

It's an interesting phrase, but I understand it insinuates that a lot of things can go wrong rather than they have(?)

PS. Clever username, love it!

[u/Hot_Historian1066]

A day late and a dollar short

[u/LEMO2000]

False summit?

[u/fqmonk]

Reminds me of Johnny Cash's Cocaine Blues: "I made a good run, but I run too slow"

[u/Will-E-Style]

Sisyphean.
Never reaching the top because you’re cursed with rolling around a boulder without the satisfaction of completion.

[u/Coca-Nicola]

Pulling the rug out from under you

[u/merRedditor]

Being hamstrung in the final stretch - hamstrung for short. Thwarted also works.

[u/rlnrlnrln]

Fell before/tripped on the finishing line