--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nearly' only counts in horseshoes and…" description: "\"Nearly' only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.\" — Neil Gaiman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/neil-gaiman-29_failure_nearly-only-counts-in-horseshoes-and-han_711501.jpg" --- # Nearly' only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades. ![“Nearly' only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/neil-gaiman-29_failure_nearly-only-counts-in-horseshoes-and-han_711501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/neil-gaiman-29_failure_nearly-only-counts-in-horseshoes-and-han_711501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/neil-gaiman-29_failure_nearly-only-counts-in-horseshoes-and-han_711501.jpg) > “Nearly' only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The saying humorously notes that while horseshoes bring luck, hand grenades are dangerous, highlighting the absurdity of counting successes in harmful contexts. **In simple terms:** Only lucky things count; dangerous things don’t. Key Takeaway Recognize the difference between luck and risk. Themes luck danger humor war paradox Mood wry thoughtful critical Type aphor humorous cautionary When to use this quote - military strategy - gaming - risk management - comedy writing Key Concepts probability risk assessment irony Questions to Reflect On - When does counting successes become harmful? - How can humor reveal hidden dangers? A Different Perspective May trivialize serious topics like warfare. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Counts Horseshoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counts-horseshoes-5120028/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Good luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-luck/) [Grenade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grenade/) [Hand Grenades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-grenades-906416/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Horseshoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horseshoes/) [Horseshoes Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horseshoes-hand-5120029/) [Nearly Counts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nearly-counts-5611198/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [“Close only counts in horseshoes and hand gernades”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-dodd/close-only-counts-in-horseshoes-and-hand-gernades/) [Christina Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-dodd/) > [I'm almost there.I'm almost over this bridge os trying to forget you...but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand-gernades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-almost-there-i-m-almost-over-this-bridge-os-trying-to-forget-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Close don't count in baseball. 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