On the verge of

This pattern expresses that a situation is on the brink of happening, emphasizing immediacy and tension. It translates to "on the verge of," "one step away from," or "just about to."

Formation

Attach -기 일보 직전 directly to a verb stem.

Verb Stem + -기 일보 직전이다

폭발하다 (to explode) → 폭발하기 일보 직전이다

쓰러지다 (to collapse) → 쓰러지기 일보 직전이다

Meaning & Usage

The phrase literally means "one step right before" (일보 = one step, 직전 = right before). It's used to add a dramatic flair, suggesting that an event is imminent. While often used for negative or intense situations (like collapsing or exploding), it can also describe being on the cusp of a positive breakthrough, like success.

폭발하기 일보 직전이야. / 쓰러지기 일보 직전이에요. / 성공하기 일보 직전이야.

This pattern is inherently dramatic and is not used for neutral, everyday actions. Its main purpose is to heighten the sense of tension or urgency.

When to Use

Use it for emotionally charged or high-stakes situations. It effectively conveys a feeling that something big is about to happen, whether it's an emotional outburst, a physical collapse, or a major event.

전쟁 나기 일보 직전이야. (War is imminent.) - Sounds very serious.

혈압 터지기 일보 직전이야. (My blood pressure is about to burst.) - A common idiom for extreme anger.

Common Mistakes

Avoid using -기 일보 직전 for mundane activities. For example, saying 점심 먹기 일보 직전이야 (I'm on the verge of eating lunch) sounds unnatural and overly dramatic. For simple, upcoming actions, it's more natural to use patterns like -(으)려고 하다 or a simpler -기 직전이다.

Natural: 이제 막 점심 먹으려고 해요. (I'm just about to eat lunch.)

Awkward: 점심 먹기 일보 직전이에요.

혈압 터지기 일보 직전이야. / 전쟁 나기 일보 직전이에요. / 싸우기 일보 직전이야.

-기 일보 직전 pairs most naturally with verbs that describe intense feelings or critical situations. Learning these common pairings will help you use the pattern more effectively.

Verbs for Emotional States

폭발하다 (to explode with anger)

울다 (to cry)

미치다 (to go crazy)

화나다 (to get angry)

Verbs for Physical or Situational Crisis

쓰러지다 (to collapse)

기절하다 (to faint, pass out)

토하다 (to vomit)

넘치다 (to overflow)

죽다 (to die - often used hyperbolically)

These verbs carry the necessary weight and drama that make -기 일보 직전 sound natural and impactful.

기절하기 일보 직전이야. / 토하기 일보 직전이에요. / 넘치기 일보 직전이야.

The core pattern -기 일보 직전 remains the same across all politeness levels. The formality is determined by the final verb, 이다 (to be).

Casual Form (반말)

Use -(이)야 for the present tense and -(이)었어 for the past tense. This is for speaking with close friends, family, or those younger than you.

울기 일보 직전이야. (I'm about to cry.)

들키기 일보 직전이었어. (I was about to get caught.)

Polite Form (해요체)

Use -(이)에요 for the present and -(이)었어요 for the past. This is the standard polite form for most daily conversations.

울기 일보 직전이에요. (I'm about to cry.)

들키기 일보 직전이었어요. (I was about to get caught.)

미치기 일보 직전이야. / 미치기 일보 직전이에요. / 포기하기 일보 직전이었어. / 포기하기 일보 직전이었어요.