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

But some who have been in regular touch with No 10 tell me they have seen no serious signs that an early election is in the offing.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

The show features Weaver grappling with her decision to quit the team when she had at least a couple more years in the offing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

But based on the talk around town, Chahal believes a more prosperous future is in the offing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

Nvidia shares were buoyed Wednesday by optimism that chief executive Jensen Huang’s last-minute inclusion in the U.S trade delegation to Beijing could indicate an important announcement in the offing.

From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026

It was a sticky moment: Harry knew that she had sensed Ron’s name in the offing.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

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