verge

The point when something is very close to happening or beginning.

• He was on the verge of tears.
• The scientists are on the verge of a major discovery.
• We were on the verge of giving up.

How to use it: on the verge of something (The business is on the verge of bankruptcy.); on the verge of doing something (She was on the verge of leaving when the phone rang.)

Similar words: brink, threshold

Common phrases: on the verge, verge of collapse, verge of tears

The edge of an area, especially a strip of grass beside a road.

• Flowers grew on the verge.
• He parked his car on the grassy verge.
• Workers cut the grass along the road verge.

Similar words: edge, margin, roadside

Common phrases: grass verge, road verge, on the verge

To be very close to a particular quality, state, or condition.

• His reply verged on rude.
• Her attention to detail verges on obsession.
• The task was so difficult that it verged on impossible.

How to use it: verge on something (His confidence verges on arrogance.)

Similar words: border on, approach

Common phrases: verge on something, verge on obsession, verge on impossible