almost complete 几乎完成
close to success 接近成功
slip away 溜走
miss the chance 错失机会
1. The victory was lost between cup and lip.
胜利在即却功亏一篑。
2. He counted the money, but it slipped between cup and lip.
他数钱时却未能如愿。
3. Plans often fail between cup and lip.
计划常常在成功在望时失败。
A: We were so close to finishing the project, but it failed between cup and lip.
A：我们项目快完成了，但却半途而废。
B: Yes, unexpected problems always happen between cup and lip.
B：是啊，意想不到的问题总是在事情快成功时出现。
1) 表示事情即将成功却意外失败
2) 指机会或成果在最后一刻失去
3) 常用于提醒谨慎行事
1. 比喻事情即将完成时可能遭遇意外而失败。
e.g.
He was about to win the contract, but it slipped between cup and lip.
他快拿下合同了，却在最后关头失败了。
noun
1. A proverb meaning that something is likely to fail at the very moment it seems about to succeed.
Synonym: almost, nearly, on the verge