On the blink

Meaning

The idiom "on the blink" is commonly used to refer to something that is about to happen or is in the process of occurring. It can be used to describe a situation, an event, or even a person's behavior. In contemporary language, the figurative meaning of this idiom is often understood as a premonition or a feeling that something is about to happen.

Usage

• The company had been struggling financially for years, but they were finally on the blink of bankruptcy when they decided to restructure their operations.
• The storm was on the blink to hit us and we knew we had to prepare as much as possible.
• I had a feeling that something was on the blink with my best friend's relationship, so I tried to talk to her about it.
• The city officials were on the blink of making a decision on whether or not to build the new stadium.
• The surgeon had to make a quick decision as the patient was on the blink of losing consciousness.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "on the blink" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 17th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the old English phrase "blinken," which means "to wink or blink." This could have been used to describe a sudden or unexpected event that was about to happen. Another theory suggests that it comes from the Old Norse word "blykkja," which means "to shine" or "to appear." In this case, the idiom could have originally referred to something that was about to occur and had the appearance of brightness or illumination.

Synonyms in English

• on the verge of
• impending
• about to happen
• on the horizon
• looming

Synonyms in other languages

• French: en attente (awaited)
• Spanish: a punto de (about to)
• German: auf den Ankunft (on arrival)
• Italian: in arrivo (on arrival)
• Portuguese: na hora (at the hour)

Similar Idioms

• blowing smoke

• on the crest of a wave

• blind spot