in the offing

Idioms  

1. In the near or immediate future; soon to come. For example, Jan was delighted that exams were finished and graduation was in the offing. This expression originally meant “in the part of the ocean visible between shore and horizon”; its figurative use dates from the late 1700s. Also see in the wind.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the offing

He finished third that weekend, but even that recently there was no indication a performance such as this was in the offing.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

One of them is Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who pulled his negotiators out of Washington on Friday after it became clear that a deal wasn’t in the offing.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

All that remains in the offing, however, as none of the major prospects have formally declared their candidacies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026

Deals are still in the offing for the time being, though, since many builders are trying to get unsold homes off their books.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026

If Meereen knew that a wedding was in the offing, that alone might buy her a few nights’ respite, even if Hizdahr’s efforts came to naught.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• forthcoming
• immediate
• impending
• inevitable
• likely
• looming
• possible
• probable
• unavoidable