at any moment
at any moment — idiom
1. within a very short time from now; used to say that something expected or schedu
within a very short time from now; used to say that something expected or scheduled will happen almost immediately.
Mei kept checking the front door because her dinner guests were due at any moment.
due at any moment — scheduled arrival
The nurse said the doctor would be free at any moment to see us.
would be [adjective] at any moment
Hideki heard the train approaching and knew it would reach the platform at any moment.
Grace stood by the window with her coat on, expecting a taxi at any moment.
The food app showed the driver was nearby, so lunch would arrive at any moment.
- any minute now
more informal; interchangeable in everyday speech
- momentarily
more formal; common in American English
- shortly
slightly less immediate than 'at any moment'; implies within a short time but not necessarily seconds away
- much later
refers to a distant future time, the opposite of imminence
文法句型
[subject] + be + about to + [verb] + at any moment
[subject] + [present tense verb] + at any moment
expecting [subject] to [verb] at any moment
用法筆記
Common with verbs describing arrivals, deliveries, or completed preparations. The event is always on a schedule or has been arranged — not used for distant future plans.
常見錯誤
2. used to say that something sudden, dramatic, or dangerous is very likely to happ
used to say that something sudden, dramatic, or dangerous is very likely to happen without warning.
The old bridge over the river could collapse at any moment after the heavy storm.
could [verb] at any moment — imminent danger
Fatima knew the fragile ceasefire might break at any moment, so she stayed alert.
might [verb] at any moment — uncertain but likely
Diego kept his phone close because the job offer could come at any moment.
The volcano has been rumbling for days and could erupt at any moment, forcing evacuations.
Amara worried that the power would go out at any moment during the typhoon.
- any time now
slightly less dramatic; used in both expected and unexpected contexts
- at any minute
interchangeable in most cases; equally common
- without warning
emphasises the suddenness more than the imminence
- predictably
suggests an event follows a known pattern, opposite of the surprise element
文法句型
[subject] + could + [verb] + at any moment
[subject] + might + [verb] + at any moment
worried that [subject] would [verb] at any moment
用法筆記
Emphasises unpredictability — the subject is typically something that changes state abruptly (a structure, a situation, a natural event). Often carries a tone of concern or urgency, unlike the 'VERY SOON' sense which is neutral.