in sight
in sight — idiom
1. able to be seen because the person or thing is within the range of your eyes
able to be seen because the person or thing is within the range of your eyes
After three days at sea, land was finally in sight.
be in sight for things that become visible
Eshe looked around the busy market, but her brother was nowhere in sight.
The children kept the kite in sight as it drifted over the trees.
There was not a single shop in sight along the dark country road.
Wei stood on the platform, watching until the train was no longer in sight.
- visible
more formal; often used in technical or written contexts
- within view
emphasises that the observer is close enough to see it
- out of sight
direct opposite: no longer visible or beyond the range of vision
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, object, or place that can be physically seen. Often used in the negative form 'nowhere in sight' to emphasise that something or someone cannot be found.
常見錯誤
2. close to happening or being achieved, so that you can realistically expect it so
close to happening or being achieved, so that you can realistically expect it soon
After weeks of heavy rain, sunshine was finally in sight.
be in sight for events and outcomes
The construction crew worked faster now that the deadline was in sight.
Indra had applied to thirty companies, but a suitable offer was nowhere in sight.
With peace talks moving forward, an end to the war seemed in sight.
After the third interview, Mira felt that the job was finally in sight.
- imminent
more formal; suggests something is about to happen very soon, often with urgency
- on the horizon
slightly more distant; something expected but not yet clearly visible in the near future
- within reach
emphasises that the goal can be attained with continued effort
- nowhere in sight
the negative form: not expected to happen any time soon
用法筆記
Subject is always an event, outcome, or goal — never a physical object. Distinguish from sense 1 (VISIBLE): if you can literally see it with your eyes, use sense 1.