on the verge of
1. On the point of
2. On the brink of, very close to (a state, condition or situation)
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Main Entry: ↑verge
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on the verge of
US + Brit : at the point when (something) is about to happen or is very likely to happen
The company was on the verge of going bankrupt. [=was very close to going bankrupt]
The child was on the verge of tears. [=was almost crying; was about to start crying]
We were on the verge of divorce.
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Main Entry: ↑verge
Useful english dictionary. 2012.