border on
The phrase 'border on' can describe both physical proximity and a state of nearing a particular quality or condition.
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Definition
B2Geography
(general)To be next to or share a boundary with another area.
Example
- Mexico borders on the United States to the north.
- Several countries border on the Mediterranean Sea.
B2General
(figurative)To come very close to being a particular quality, feeling, or state.
Example
- His excitement bordered on madness.
- The movie's plot borders on the absurd.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "border on":
boundary cornerboundary termborder guardon the edgeboundary riderbear on