on the verge of
on the verge of — idiom
1. used to describe a situation in which someone or something is going to experienc
used to describe a situation in which someone or something is going to experience an event or change almost immediately — the action or feeling has not started yet but will begin very soon.
Nikos was on the verge of tears after hearing the news about his grandfather.
on the verge of + noun phrase showing emotion
Xiu's company was on the verge of closing down when a new investor appeared.
on the verge of + gerund (-ing form)
After months of training, Arjun felt on the verge of breaking his personal record.
The old bridge was on the verge of collapse after the heavy flood.
With only one exam left, Hannah was on the verge of finishing her degree.
- close to
less intense; used for both minor and major events
- on the brink of
more negative; often used for disaster or danger
- on the point of
more formal; suggests an exact moment just before something starts
- about to
neutral and common; can replace 'on the verge of' in most contexts with less drama
- far from
indicates a long way from happening
- nowhere near
informal; emphasizes that something is not close at all
文法句型
on the verge of + noun
on the verge of + gerund
用法筆記
Typically followed by a noun or a gerund. The phrase is used for dramatic or significant turning points, not for routine everyday events. A more formal alternative to 'about to'.