on the eve of

Idioms  

1. Just prior to, as in On the eve of the conference the main speaker backed out. This expression uses eve, literally “the night before,” more loosely. [Late 1700s]

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Example Sentences

However, leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister said on the eve of Xi's arrival that North Korea's nuclear weapons programme was "the line of no retreat".

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Rory McIlroy says he was "pleasantly surprised" at how good his troublesome right foot felt as he completed nine holes of practice on the eve of the US PGA Championship at Aronimink near Philadelphia.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Or do the owners surrender on the salary cap, well aware that a 2027 lockout could drive away fans on the eve of media rights negotiations in 2028?

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Sarah “Sally” Snyder, a young, struggling actress, was found dead in a New York City apartment on the eve of her 22nd birthday, about two weeks before Christmas 1973.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

Sergeant Bloom, addressing us in the chapel on the eve of our graduation, asked for a show of hands from everyone in the room who was scared about starting work on Monday.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover