pipped to the post

The phrase "pipped to the post" refers to being narrowly beaten or outrun in a competition or race, usually at the very end or last moment. It implies coming in second place or losing by a small margin. The word "pipped" originally comes from the practice of marking or scoring a race by making a small notch on a post, and being "pipped to the post" means someone else's notch was made ahead of yours, indicating their victory.