Synonyms

in the offing

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sovereign-bond yields, including Canada’s, have climbed as traders anticipate that higher inflation is in the offing.

From The Wall Street Journal

“MrBeast could be fine, but the emergence of finfluencers bears watching, especially when the risks of crypto are in the offing.”

From MarketWatch

OK, a nuclear attack isn’t in the offing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Knowing that an indictment was in the offing, Heppner had consulted Claude for help on a defense strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

Given the mean target price was £13.52 before today’s release, below the current price, upgrades are most likely in the offing.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023