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

Still, prices are almost 40% higher than on the eve of the war and traded above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ishan Kishan kept the campaign on track with two fifties in the beginning, before Sanju Samson, dropped on the eve of the tournament before regaining his place through a team-mates' bereavement, provided the finale with three of his own.

From BBC

That ban had been in place since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the eve of the Winter Paralympics four years ago, although it was softened the following year to allow athletes to compete as neutrals.

From BBC

Despite the Brook incident, which took place on the eve of the third one-day international against New Zealand in Wellington prior to the Ashes series, England's alcohol consumption in Australia came under scrutiny.

From BBC

The main impact on Americans from the fighting is rising oil prices, which are roughly 13% higher than they were on the eve of the war.

From Barron's