on the verge of

Idioms  

1. Close to, on the brink of, as in I was on the verge of calling the doctor when he suddenly got better, or Sara was on the verge of tears when she heard the news. This term uses verge in the sense of “the brink or border of something.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the verge of

Now it seems as if one of pop’s hottest acts is on the verge of implosion.

From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026

Edman entered the at-bat 0 for 3 and was seemingly on the verge of keeping the 200-minute game alive in an unfavorable way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

Tattoo artist Andres Hernandez said he was worried about his family and friends, adding that he would stay awake because structures around him were "on the verge of collapsing."

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Aston Villa manager David O'Leary admitted his side were "on the verge" of being part of a cup shock when they faced Wycombe Wanderers in 2005.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

He seemed on the verge of making some joking remark, but when he saw me his eyes got wide and his mouth fell open into a small round o.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

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• essentially
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