in the offing
The idiom "in the offing" originates from nautical terminology, where it described a part of the sea visible from the shore. Today, it is commonly used to indicate that something is likely to happen soon.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)Likely to happen or appear soon.
Example
- With the new policy changes, significant improvements are in the offing.
C1Nautical
(technical)A part of the sea visible from the shore, but at a considerable distance.
Example
- The ship was spotted in the offing, slowly making its way to the harbor.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "in the offing":
in the workson the comeon the stocksat handnear at handon deckin one's sightsin possein the runningunder wayon offer