closing in on the milestone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closing in on the milestone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing progress towards a specific goal or achievement that is approaching completion. Example: "Our team is closing in on the milestone of completing the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"And he looked at me and said, 'You're disgusting.' " Marshall said he knew he was closing in on the milestone because his Twitter followers had mentioned it.

The New York Times

"The squad's strong and ambitious," said Chapple, who is closing in on the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The same studio's "Emoji Movie" is rounding out the top five with $6.6 million from 3,219 theaters, just ahead of Universal's "Girls Trip" which is closing in on the $100 million milestone.

Huffington Post

Although Land Rover is closing in on a milestone of five million vehicles sold since its inception in 1948, Mr. Edwards said that the brand's "most exciting years are yet ahead".

The New York Times

Rooney is closing in on milestone Wayne Rooney is closing in on yet another milestone in his career.

Independent

Last September, as the Twins closed in on the division title, Thome sat in the visitors' dugout in Chicago and contemplated his pending milestone.

The New York Times - Sports

In an interview with USA Today published Tuesday, Aaron described the racist letters he received as he closed in on Ruth's milestone.

Huffington Post

I am three years, five months toward being considered cured, and I keep in close touch with other pancreatic cancer survivors who have either celebrated their five-year, cancer-free milestone, or are fast closing in on it.

The New York Times

Yesterday, Foursquare hinted the milestone was coming soon with a tweet saying, "We're closing in on 1 million users!

TechCrunch

2. Milestone So are you excited by A-Rod closing in on 600 homers?

Huffington Post

ROCKIES 15, PADRES 11: Rickey Henderson closed in on two major milestones, but Larry Walker went 4 for 4 with two homers and five runs scored to lead host Colorado to a victory over San Diego.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closing in on the milestone" when you want to emphasize the dynamic process of approaching a significant achievement, rather than just stating proximity.

Common error

While acceptable, "closing in on the milestone" can sound less formal. In highly formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "approaching the milestone" or "nearing the target" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closing in on the milestone" functions as a verbal phrase indicating progression towards a specific objective or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used. Examples show it describing progress in sports, business, and personal achievements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closing in on the milestone" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe nearing a significant achievement. Ludwig AI classifies it as a correct and usable phrase. While its register is generally neutral, highly formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "approaching the milestone". This phrase is frequently found in News & Media, sports, and general interest contexts, highlighting the dynamic process of nearing a specific objective. The examples from Ludwig show it being used to describe progress in diverse fields, from sports to business to personal achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching the milestone

This alternative uses a more direct verb and maintains a similar level of formality.

nearing the milestone

This option offers a slightly more concise alternative while retaining the original meaning.

drawing closer to the milestone

This variation emphasizes the continuous movement and progress towards the target.

on the verge of achieving the milestone

This phrase indicates that the milestone is very close and likely to be reached soon.

about to reach the milestone

This suggests an imminent arrival at the significant point or achievement.

within reach of the milestone

This expresses that the milestone is attainable and not far off.

in sight of the milestone

This uses a visual metaphor to suggest the milestone is clearly visible and close.

on the home stretch to the milestone

This idiom is suitable when referring to the final phase of a project or goal.

on track to achieve the milestone

This alternative signifies that progress is being made according to plan.

progressing towards the milestone

This highlights the ongoing advancement towards a specific objective.

FAQs

How can I use "closing in on the milestone" in a sentence?

You can use "closing in on the milestone" to describe progress toward a significant goal. For example, "The company is "closing in on the milestone" of reaching one million users."

What are some alternatives to "closing in on the milestone"?

Some alternatives include "approaching the milestone", "nearing the milestone", or "drawing closer to the milestone". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "closing in on the milestone" formal or informal?

The phrase "closing in on the milestone" sits in a relatively neutral zone. While perfectly acceptable, it might be better to use alternatives such as "approaching the milestone" in strictly formal or academic contexts.

What does it mean to be "closing in on the milestone"?

It means that you are making significant progress towards a specific goal or achievement and are very close to reaching it. It implies a sense of momentum and anticipation.