仏ほとけ作つくって魂たましい入いれず

expression

so near, yet so far; missing the final crucial step

Proverb meaning that one has done most of the work but failed to complete the essential final part, leaving the result useless. Literally 'making a Buddha statue but forgetting to put the soul in it'.

• 企き画かく書しょは完かん成せいしたが、上じょう司しの承しょう認にんを得えるのを忘わすれてしまった。まさに仏ほとけ作つくって魂たましい入いれずだ。

  I finished the proposal but forgot to get my boss's approval. It's a perfect case of 'so near, yet so far'.

• せっかく料りょう理りを作つくったのに、味あじ付つけを忘わすれて仏ほとけ作つくって魂たましい入いれずだった。

  I went to all the trouble of cooking, but forgot to season it—missing the final crucial step.