in the offing

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.

Example Sentences

The law passed last year gave the president one short-term extension, if a deal were in the offing.

From Slate

“L.A. Women” is in many ways a breezy book, gentle about its crises and suggesting early on that a happy ending is in the offing.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the Brumbies game, Itoje was asked if more direct rugby was in the offing.

From BBC

WAILUKU, Hawaii — A Rams-Jalen Ramsey reunion might not be in the offing.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe there was another shock in the offing, but how many shocks have we actually seen in Scottish Cup finals in the last half century and more.

From BBC

Related Words

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