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Synonyms

offing

American  
[aw-fing, of-ing] / ˈɔ fɪŋ, ˈɒf ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground.

  2. a position at a distance from shore.

idioms

  1. in the offing,

    1. at a distance but within sight.

    2. in the projected future; likely to happen.

      A wedding is in the offing.
offing British  
/ ˈɒfɪŋ /

noun

  1. the part of the sea that can be seen from the shore

  2. likely to occur soon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
offing More Idioms  

  1. see in the offing.

Etymology

Origin of offing

First recorded in 1620–30; off + -ing 1

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.

In 2015, he went behind the White House’s back to address Congress and rail against a nuclear deal between world powers and Iran that was in the offing.

From Washington Times

This has been in the offing for a while: both the potential for compromise, and even the figure arrived at.

From BBC

I am feeling a Joe Burrow booking may be in the offing.

From Los Angeles Times

But while a deal's been in the offing, there's been something of a vacuum, giving space for critics to opine.

From BBC

The ruble is plunging, foreign businesses are fleeing and sharply higher prices are in the offing.

From Seattle Times

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.