verge on — To be very close to a particular state or condition, especially one that is unpleasant, extreme, or dangerous.
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: To be very close to a particular state or condition, especially one that is unpleasant, extreme, or dangerous.
Pronunciation (IPA): /vɜːrdʒ ɑːn/
Example Sentences
- After three cups of coffee, his hands were shaking so much it verged on a caffeine overdose.
- My grandmother's love for her cat verges on obsession—she has 200 photos of it on her phone.
- The economic situation was verging on a full-blown crisis.
verge on
VERB[/vɜːrdʒ ɑːn/]
To be very close to a particular state or condition, especially one that is unpleasant, extreme, or dangerous.
His wild theories verge on madness, but the professors keep listening.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'virga' meaning a rod or twig, which was used to mark boundaries, evolving into the meaning 'edge' or 'border.'
Breakdown
verge (edge, border, from Latin virga) + on (touching/approaching)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After three cups of coffee, his hands were shaking so much it verged on a caffeine overdose.”
“My grandmother's love for her cat verges on obsession—she has 200 photos of it on her phone.”
“The economic situation was verging on a full-blown crisis.”
“His excitement about the new video game verges on childish glee.”
📚Related Words
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