When something is in the offing, it is likely to happen soon. A change, a visit, a storm, a new job: if it is in the offing, it is not here yet, but it is close. You almost always need the little phrase in the offing; people do not usually say offing by itself in this meaning.

When something is in the offing,當某件事in the offing的時候, it is likely to happen soon.意思是它很可能快要發生了。 A change, a visit, a storm, a new job:比如一個改變、一次拜訪、一場暴風雨、一份新工作: if it is in the offing,如果它in the offing, it is not here yet, but it is close.就是還沒到，但已經很接近了。 You almost always need the little phrase你幾乎都要整句用 in the offing;in the offing這個片語; people do not usually say offing by itself in this meaning.這個意思下人們很少單獨說offing。

The word started at sea. The offing was the stretch of water you could see from land, out toward the horizon. A ship in the offing was on its way in. From that picture we borrowed the idea of something coming, but not yet arrived.

The word started at sea.這個字最早是從海上來的。 The offing was the stretch of waterthe offing原本指的是那片水域 you could see from land, out toward the horizon.從陸地看得到、一路延伸到海平線的那片水。 A ship in the offing一艘in the offing的船 was on its way in.就是正在往岸邊開過來的船。 From that picture我們從這個畫面 we borrowed the idea of something coming, but not yet arrived.借來了「快到了，但還沒到」這個意思。

Though actually, it does not give you a clock: “soon” might be this afternoon or later this year, depending on the story. It sounds a little old and bookish, more common in writing than in young people’s chat.

Though actually,不過其實， it does not give you a clock:它沒有給你一個確切的時間: "soon"「soon」，快要 might be this afternoon or later this year,可能是今天下午，也可能是今年稍晚, depending on the story.要看情境而定。 It sounds a little old and bookish,聽起來有點老派、書卷氣, more common in writing than in young people's chat.比較常出現在文章裡，年輕人聊天比較少用。