They could see that the ship was waiting in the offing.
There were several small islands in the offing.
Wikipedia foundation.
in the offing — 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 Collaborative International Dictionary of English
in the offing — ON THE WAY, coming, (close) at hand, near, imminent, in prospect, on the horizon, in the wings, just around the corner, in the air, in the wind, brewing, upcoming, forthcoming; informal on the cards. → offing * * * in the offing 1. In sight or at … Useful english dictionary
in the offing — If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon. (Dorking School Dictionary) *** Something that is in the offing is likely to appear or happen soon. Apparently a new law on minimum wages is in the offing … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
in the offing — Meaning Something likely to happen soon. Origin The offing is the part of the sea that is visible from land, i.e. the off land . Ships coming into the offing were about to land … Meaning and origin of phrases
in the offing — possible or likely to happen soon. There are signs that a hot new design may be in the offing. I really thought a big promotion was in the offing … New idioms dictionary
in the offing — If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon … The small dictionary of idiomes
in the offing — ► in the offing likely to happen or appear soon. Main Entry: ↑offing … English terms dictionary
in the offing — I knew that a significant change in my life was in the offing Syn: on the way, coming (soon), (close) at hand, near, imminent, in prospect, on the horizon, in the wings, just around the corner, in the air, in the wind, brewing, upcoming,… … Thesaurus of popular words
in the offing — ready to happen, soon to be A great event was in the offing: the discovery of penicillin … English idioms
in the offing — index immediate (imminent), imminent, inevitable Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
