in the offing

Prepositional phrase

literally of a ship usually idiomatic

(literally, of a ship, landmass, etc.) 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.

Japanese Meaning

海岸から見える範囲、または海上に浮かぶ船や陸地などが、遠くにあってもしっかり視認できる位置にあることを指します。 / （比喩的に）間もなく起こる、または近づいていると予想される状態を意味します。

What is this buttons?

The cutter lay quietly in the offing, its white sails bobbing on the gentle swell.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

そのカッターは沖合に静かに浮かんでおり、白い帆が穏やかなうねりに揺れていた。

Details

Sense（1）

(literally, of a ship, landmass, etc.) 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.

They could see that the ship was waiting in the offing.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（2）

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!

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（3）

(idiomatic) At a distance, but visible.

The moment I saw the man standing there, registering respectful attention, a weight seemed to roll off my mind. I felt like a lost child who spots his father in the offing. There was something about him that gave me confidence.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

in the offing

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