ˈȯfiŋ, ˈäf-, -fēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: off (I) + -ing
1.
a. : the part of the open sea that is in sight of but a safe distance from the shore
ships lay in the offing waiting for a favorable wind
b. : a position or course near to but safely clear of the land
steered southwest to get a good offing … when he was sufficiently offshore … set course for the Canaries — S.E.Morison
c. : the act of anchoring offshore
decided to make an offing at the African village … to do some trading — H.A.Chippendale
2. : the near or foreseeable future
a wedding was in the offing — D.R.Morris
or the near distance
a waiter hovered in the offing