close on the horizon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close on the horizon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is imminent or approaching, often in a metaphorical sense related to future events or opportunities. Example: "With the new project deadline approaching, success is close on the horizon for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

More cutbacks, economists say, are close on the horizon.

The New York Times

For families who have these devastating diseases, that potential sits achingly close on the horizon.

Forbes

Watch executives and staff bail out of a company when an initial public offering isn't as close on the horizon as expected.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

All those holidays booked back in January (the busiest month for travel bookings) are now much closer on the horizon too.

Forbes

Between mid-January and early February, they went through a five-game slump without a win in Serie A. Yet, as their encounter with Chelsea has edged closer and closer on the horizon, the adrenaline has started to pump through their veins again.

BBC

On the left, higher in the sky, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds can be faintly seen, while the reddish glow of the Carina Nebula appears close to the horizon on the far left.

Huffington Post

Of all the planets on display, it will be the closest to the horizon.

The Guardian

In an era when victory hasn't been a word much used in relation to the American military, he even predicted something close to it on the horizon.

Huffington Post

The only close asteroid approach on the horizon is forecast to occur on Feb. 13, 2013, when an asteroid will pass within 4.5 Earth radii to our planet (for perspective, Earth's radius is 3,963 miles, or 6,378 kilometers).

Huffington Post

Do you see one on the horizon?

Forbes

A closing date was on the horizon, and after some not entirely amicable back-and-forth, the Broadway producers, Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum and Allan S. Gordon, agreed to a guarantee to keep the show running through June 1.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close on the horizon" to create a sense of anticipation or expectation, suggesting that something significant is about to occur. It's effective when you want to add a touch of drama or foreshadowing to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "close on the horizon" too frequently in a short piece of writing. Overuse of figurative language can make your writing sound cliché or melodramatic. Consider using more direct language for variety and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close on the horizon" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is approaching or imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Examples show it used to describe events, opportunities, or even potential problems that are about to occur.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close on the horizon" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something that is approaching or imminent. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, noting its appropriateness in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While relatively infrequent, the phrase effectively creates anticipation and signals the nearness of a future event. Related phrases include "just around the corner" and "about to happen", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. When writing, use "close on the horizon" to add a touch of drama or foreshadowing, but avoid overuse to prevent sounding cliché.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just around the corner

Uses a spatial metaphor like the original, but implies a more immediate and easily reachable event.

coming up soon

A simple and direct way of indicating that an event will happen in the near future.

about to happen

A straightforward and less figurative way of saying something is going to occur very soon.

on the verge of occurring

Emphasizes the state of being at the very edge of happening.

imminent

This single-word alternative conveys a sense of nearness and impending occurrence, lacking the visual metaphor.

drawing near

Focuses on the process of approaching, rather than the final arrival.

impending

Similar to "imminent", but might suggest a more negative or threatening event approaching.

in sight

Indicates that something can be seen or anticipated, though not necessarily very close.

in the offing

A more formal idiom suggesting something is likely to occur in the near future.

looming

Suggests something large and potentially overwhelming is approaching.

FAQs

What does "close on the horizon" mean?

The phrase "close on the horizon" means that something is imminent or about to happen. It often refers to future events or opportunities that are approaching.

What can I say instead of "close on the horizon"?

You can use alternatives like "just around the corner", "about to happen", or "imminent depending on the context".

Is "close on the horizon" an idiom?

Yes, "close on the horizon" is an idiom. It's a figurative expression whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of its individual words.

How do I use "close on the horizon" in a sentence?

Use "close on the horizon" to describe events, deadlines, or goals that are nearing. For example, "With the end of the quarter close on the horizon, the sales team is pushing to meet their targets."