threshold of success

USAGE SUMMARY

"threshold of success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the point at which someone has achieved success, either in a specific endeavor or in life as a whole. For example, "The student reached the threshold of success with his passing grade on the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He was apparently on the threshold of success.

The Guardian

It ends as he's on the threshold of success and a sequel, Stardust, examines his rapid rise and fall.

The Guardian - Film

When a tech company begins to refer to its headquarters as a "campus," a certain threshold of success has been attained.

The New Yorker

With 'American Idol,' we have deliberately structured these agreements to ensure that artists can cross the threshold of success, and that they have all the support necessary to achieve their dreams".

The New York Times

Having been with the Blues from the region's inception in 2003, which followed the decline of Cardiff from inaugural Heineken Cup finalists to a club that made up the numbers in Europe, Robinson acknowledges that he is leaving at a time when the team has finally made it to the threshold of success.

The Guardian - Sport

"The threshold of success for this summit meeting was a picture of the two men together, some material goods for the north for Kim Jong Il to show off, and some news for Kim Dae Jung to bring home about separated families," said Marcus Noland, a North Korea expert at the Institute for International Economics in Washington.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

On a global basis, three movies took in more than $1 billion, the industry's new threshold of smash success.

The New York Times

They check her online patient portal daily to see what her blood counts are, willing her absolute neutrophil count above 500, the threshold of transplant success.

Harvard University

"Many right whales now have poor body scores that are just above the threshold of reproductive success, suggesting that any additional stressors... will push them below any ability to reproduce," Kraus said.

The Washington Post

It often feels as though the national team is permanently on the threshold of a success it never quite reaches, as if it's built to thrive on medium-size stages but fizzle on large ones.

The New York Times

On the other side, the six nations have a very low threshold for success - signs of 'serious engagement', maybe without specifics on what kind of limits Iran would be prepared to accept on its nuclear programme, but enough to give hope that those specifics will be on the table in the next round of talks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "threshold of success" when describing the moment an individual or entity moves from striving towards achieving a goal to actually achieving it. It indicates the boundary has been crossed.

Common error

Avoid assuming that reaching the "threshold of success" guarantees continued or greater success. It simply marks the initial point of achieving a desired outcome; sustained effort is still required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threshold of success" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It represents the point or boundary that marks the achievement of a desired outcome. As supported by Ludwig, it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "threshold of success" is a noun phrase that describes the point at which someone is about to achieve a goal. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its register is neutral, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Related phrases include "cusp of achievement", and "brink of triumph", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. Remember that reaching the "threshold of success" doesn't guarantee future success, but rather marks the beginning of realizing a desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cusp of achievement

Replaces "success" with "achievement" while maintaining the idea of being on the verge of reaching a goal.

brink of triumph

Substitutes "success" with "triumph" which amplifies the sense of victory or accomplishment at the final stage.

verge of breakthrough

Changes "success" to "breakthrough", focusing on overcoming an obstacle to achieve a significant advance.

edge of accomplishment

Alters "success" to "accomplishment," emphasizing the completion of something significant.

point of realization

Replaces "success" with "realization," highlighting the moment when a goal is made real or tangible.

apex of attainment

Uses "attainment" instead of "success," stressing the action of achieving something.

height of victory

Replaces "success" with "victory", which focuses on the triumph over opposition to reach the goal.

doorway to prosperity

Uses a more metaphorical approach, equating success with entering a state of prosperity.

gateway to achievement

Similar to "doorway to prosperity," this highlights success as an entry point to further achievements.

dawn of a breakthrough

Emphasizes the beginning of success using the metaphor of dawn, indicating the start of something positive.

FAQs

How can I use "threshold of success" in a sentence?

You can use "threshold of success" to describe the point at which someone achieves a desired level of accomplishment. For example, "The company is on the "verge of breakthrough", having finally reached the "threshold of success" with its new product launch".

What are some alternatives to "threshold of success"?

Alternatives to "threshold of success" include "cusp of achievement", "brink of triumph", or "verge of breakthrough". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "on the threshold to success"?

While "threshold of success" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing, "on the threshold to success" is understandable but less frequently used. Sticking with "threshold of success" ensures clarity and aligns with standard usage.

What does it mean to stand on the "threshold of success"?

Standing on the "threshold of success" means you are very close to achieving a goal or reaching a significant accomplishment. It implies anticipation and the imminent realization of desired outcomes.