Phrase guide

in the offing

prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Within the area of the sea known as the offing; at a considerable distance from land, but visible from shore, often in reference to an approaching ship.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally, usually

Qualifier: landmass

Examples

  • They could see that the ship was waiting in the offing.
  • There were several small islands in the offing.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Soon to come; likely to happen; in the foreseeable future; projected to occur; on the horizon; in the wind.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: imminent

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

At a distance, but visible.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 在不遠的將來 /在不远的将来 (zài bù yuǎn de jiānglái) — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Czech: na obzoru — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Dutch: in het verschiet — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Finnish: tulossa — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Finnish: tiedossa — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • French: en perspective — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • French: à l'horizon — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • German: in Aussicht — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Japanese: 近い未来に (chikai mirai ni) — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Polish: na horyzoncie — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Russian: в ближа́йшем бу́дущем (v bližájšem búduščem) — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon
  • Russian: не за гора́ми (ne za gorámi) — in the foreseeable future; on the horizon