in the offing
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.61 in modern English
21
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
prep_phrase
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.
prep_phrase
Soon to come; likely to happen; in the foreseeable future; projected to occur; on the horizon; in the wind.
prep_phrase
At a distance, but visible.
Example Sentences
- "They could see that the ship was waiting in the offing."
- "There were several small islands in the offing."
- "Presently a rioting noise was heard without. Starting up, the landlord cried, "That's the Grampus's crew. I seed her reported in the offing this morning; a three years' voyage, and a full ship. Hurrah, boys; now we'll have the latest news from the Feegees.""
- "If the ship that bore the sacred flame arrived too soon, it might not put in to shore, but had to cruise in the offing till the nine days were expired."
- "We have known wives to forget that they had husbands,[…] especially when they supposed that a tax bill or a notification to do military duty might be in the offing!"
- "The Ship of the Spring in the offing at last! / Oh, rude blew the hindering gales, / But perfumes entrancing, the danger o'erpast, / Are wafted afar, from her sails!"