The Collaborative International Dictionary
Offing \Off"ing\ ([o^]f"[i^]ng; 115), n. [From Off.] That part of the sea at a good distance from the shore, or where there is deep water and no need of a pilot; also, distance from the shore; as, the ship had ten miles offing; we saw a ship in the offing. in the offing
coming; arriving in the foreseeable future.
visible but not nearby.
Wiktionary
a. 1 (context literally of a ship, landmass, etc. English) Within the area of the sea known as the offing; at a considerable distance from land, but visible from shore, often in reference to an approaching ship. 2 (context idiomatic English) Soon to come; likely to happen; in the foreseeable future; projected to occur; on the horizon; in the wind. 3 (context idiomatic English) At a distance, but visible.
Usage examples of "in the offing".
Knowing better than to let their guard down, however, they grew increasingly vigilant, anticipating something more devious in the offing.
Knowingbetter than to let their guard down, however, theygrew increasingly vigilant, anticipating somethingmore devious in the offing.
He had remained solid for well over twelve hours now, and it would be relaxing to let go for a few minutes, but, no, not with a potential emergency in the offing.
His sly opponent had a Rook in danger with a check in the offing and his own Queen ready to wreak havoc.
All I had now to fear was the falling in with the ship of war in the offing, and I placed men to keep a sharp look-out in every direction, and told the officers that it was necessary that we should avoid her.
They know very well what the poor old Dolphin is worth, for all her fresh putty and paint and gingerbread-work, and just how the Camel transport and the Vulture slop-ship are armed, and they beg us to keep well out in the offing on the thirteenth, and to take no notice, because the Diane is new and fast and has scantlings like a forty-gun ship - carries heavy metal - would sink any one of us with a single broadside - crew admirably well trained with both great guns and small-arms - her tops full of riflemen like those in the Redoutable who killed Lord Nelson.