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Glite Dictionary
at the threshold

at the threshold

3 4.2
About to begin something new or important
  • idiom
translation icon : en el umbral
  • Once you are standing at that gate, though, there is no mistaking that you are at the threshold of something that was once epic.
  • stand at the threshold

Examples

  • Frequently called the most cosmopolitan city of the Midwest, Detroit today stands at the threshold of a bright new future.

  • Nigeria is currently at the threshold of a third attempt at the establishment of a democratic government.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Nobody wants to consider the end of a marriage while they stand at the threshold of its beginning.

    Blog text (9)

  • For we stand at the threshold of living in an America where abortion is once again a crime.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Today, colleges and universities are at the threshold of understanding that family in academia is not the same as gender in academia.

    Academic text (2005)

  • She was at the threshold of her new position, feeling excited and nervous about the challenges ahead.

  • The team gathered at the threshold of the new project, ready to discuss their ideas and plans.

  • As the athlete stood at the threshold of the competition, he felt a rush of anticipation about his performance.

Synonyms

on the verge of
vsat the threshold
144 3.8

Very close to doing or feeling something

is about being just before starting a new or important action
on the brink of
vsat the threshold
52 4.5

Very close to something important or dangerous happening

is about the initial entry into something new rather than risky change
on the edge of
vsat the threshold
20 3.9

Very close to achieving something important

is about the moment of beginning rather than nearing an achievement
on the cusp of
vsat the threshold
9 6.0

Close to reaching something important, like success or a big discovery

is about being at the beginning or entry into something new

Antonyms

end point
1 3.9

The place or moment when something finishes

How Close

at the threshold
3 4.2
on the verge of
144 3.8
imminent
168 4.8

Surface Forms

at the threshold positive

Morphology

at + the + threshold

The phrase's meaning is directly built from the noun 'threshold' (a point marking the start of a state) combined with the locative preposition 'at' and the definite article 'the', so 'at the threshold' literally indicates being at the start of something. This locative/temporal compositional pattern is common across languages and follows regular English usage, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand the expression.

Etymology

At the threshold comes from the image of standing in a doorway with one foot on the threshold, ready to step inside. So it means being 'about to start' something new or important.