offing

[ aw-fing, of-ing ]

noun

1. the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground.
2. a position at a distance from shore.

offing

/ ˈɒfɪŋ /

noun

1. the part of the sea that can be seen from the shore
2. in the offing
   likely to occur soon

Word History and Origins

Origin of offing¹

First recorded in 1620–30; off + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the offing,
   1. at a distance but within sight.
   2. in the projected future; likely to happen:

      A wedding is in the offing.

More idioms and phrases containing offing

see in the offing .

Example Sentences

While Reeves demurred on future acquisitions, Gusto’s focus on expanding to a comprehensive financial wellness platform for both employees and businesses would likely suggest that additional acquisitions may well be in the offing in the future.

From TechCrunch

Around 36,000 people had died worldwide, no one knew if second or third waves were in the offing, and there were no vaccines.

From Quartz

Around 36,000 people had died worldwide, no one knew for sure if second or third waves were in the offing, and there were no vaccines.

From Quartz

Media management firm Ebiquity has something similar in the offing.

From Digiday

Where we thought we had discovered new life, we had merely found evidence of a home repair in the offing.

From Washington Post

Julian Fellowes can save his show by offing the target of his sadism.

From The Daily Beast

In that groaner, Burt is convinced he is going to die soon and sets about offing himself.

From The Daily Beast

If their corner does not have the lights to see what is in the offing, then the boxer has to have the mettle to say “enough.”

From The Daily Beast

So Israelis and Americans hearing seductive sonatas on this visit need brace themselves for the inevitable deeds in the offing.

From The Daily Beast

There is an untold number of other Zimmermans out there, waiting to protect the white race by offing a Young Black Male.

From The Daily Beast

The wind now began to lessen; and, for fear of being becalmed, I was anxious to get an offing.

From Project Gutenberg

In the offing is a low wooded island of more than a mile in diameter.

From Project Gutenberg

In the offing are several rocky islets, particularly one, a high rock, which is very remarkable.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet she was wise enough to see that in the offing the same danger of debt threatened them if they were not very, very careful.

From Project Gutenberg

In leaving the pontoon for the offing, the various craft increase in size as the water deepens.

From Project Gutenberg

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