on the verge

on the verge of (doing) (something)

Closely approaching some action or outcome; very nearly at the point at which something will happen. After weeks of failed experiments, I think we're finally on the verge of a breakthrough.
See also: of, on, verge
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the verge (of doing something)

 and on the verge of something
at the very beginning of doing something; just about to do something. Bill was on the verge of leaving town when he found a job. Susan was on the verge of laughter, so she left the lecture hall.
See also: on, verge
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • on the verge of
  • on the verge of (doing) (something)
  • on/to the verge of something/of doing something
  • verge
  • hold off
  • be (well) on the/(one's) way to/towards (something)
  • be on the/your way to/towards something
  • be going on (for) (something)
  • be going on something
  • getting there
References in classic literature
'Hangin' on the verge of starvation,' I says--'for the honor of the family--hic--sen' me some bread.
His big brother Charlie was in love with the guileless maiden who played the part of "Little Bright-Eyes" in "The Kaliph of Kamskatka." He had been on the verge of marrying her once, only "the guv'ner" had sworn to disinherit him, and had presented him with a sum that would stagger the imagination, and that had staggered the virtue of "Little Bright-Eyes." Now Charlie had got leave from college, and had gone away in his automobile on the next best thing to a honeymoon.
Jungle
She saw that he stood on the verge of lunacy, if he had not already stepped across it.
Scarlet Letter
Record-breaking Daw Mill Colliery, near Nuneaton, is on the verge of a pounds 100million-plus investment programme which promises to safeguard its future for years.
Miners are now on pounds 70k; COLLIERY: pounds 100m investment... 25 years after strike