Close enough for horseshoes
Meaning
It means that something is acceptable despite not being perfectly accurate or exact, much like how getting near the target in the game of horseshoes still earns points.
Origin
The phrase springs directly from the rustic, competitive spirit of the game of horseshoes. In this classic pastime, players pitch horseshoes at a stake driven into the ground. While a "ringer"—a shoe that encircles the stake—is the ultimate goal, points are also awarded for shoes that land within a specific distance, typically six inches, from the stake. This pragmatic scoring system acknowledges that absolute precision isn't always necessary for success; simply being "close enough" can still secure a victory. The phrase thus migrated from the sandy pits of backyard games into everyday language, embodying a relaxed acceptance of near-perfection.
Examples
- The prototype isn't exactly what we envisioned, but it's close enough for horseshoes and will work for the demo.
- I didn't hit the bullseye, but my dart landed in the inner ring, which is close enough for horseshoes to win the round.