Idioms are special phrases that mean something different from what the words say on their own. People use them to make their speaking and writing more colorful, descriptive, and fun. In this guide, you will learn many popular expressions that people use when someone is close to finishing a goal, reaching a destination, or achieving success.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for almost there that mean being near the finish line, coming close to a goal, or just having a little bit left to do. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Almost There
1. In the home stretch
Meaning: Being near the final part of a long task, project, or race.
For Example: We are in the home stretch of our school year with only two days left. / After miles of running, the marathoners reached the home stretch.
Other Ways to Say: Near the end / On the final lap
2. Around the corner
Meaning: Happening or arriving very soon.
For Example: Summer vacation is just around the corner, so everyone is excited. / The school science fair is around the corner, so we must finish our project.
Other Ways to Say: Coming soon / Very close
3. Within arm’s reach
Meaning: So close that you can almost touch it or accomplish it easily.
For Example: Victory was within arm’s reach as our team scored another point. / She kept her water bottle within arm’s reach while studying.
Other Ways to Say: Very near / Close at hand
4. At the doorstep
Meaning: About to happen or arrive at any moment.
For Example: Exam week is right at the doorstep, so it is time to study. / The weekend is at the doorstep, and we have fun plans.
Other Ways to Say: Right upon us / Just ahead
5. Within striking distance
Meaning: Close enough to reach a target or achieve a win with one final effort.
For Example: Our basketball team moved within striking distance of the lead. / She is within striking distance of setting a new reading record.
Other Ways to Say: Close to winning / Almost at the goal
6. At the finish line
Meaning: Reaching the very end of a long journey, race, or project.
For Example: We are standing at the finish line of this giant science build. / The runners gathered at the finish line after a long race.
Other Ways to Say: At the final step / Near the conclusion
7. Just a stone’s throw away
Meaning: Located at a very short distance from where you are.
For Example: The public library is just a stone’s throw away from my house. / Our favorite ice cream shop is a stone’s throw away from the park.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby / Very close
8. Within sight
Meaning: Close enough to be seen or clearly imagined as complete.
For Example: The mountain peak was finally within sight as the clouds cleared. / The end of our project is within sight after hours of hard work.
Other Ways to Say: In view / Almost visible
9. A hair’s breadth away
Meaning: Separated by an extremely small distance or tiny amount of time.
For Example: He came a hair’s breadth away from breaking the school running record. / She was a hair’s breadth away from guessing the secret word.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely close / Just a tiny bit off
10. Within a whisker
Meaning: Coming exceptionally close to reaching a specific result.
For Example: Our team came within a whisker of winning the championship game. / He was within a whisker of getting a perfect score on the quiz.
Other Ways to Say: Barely missing / Incredibly close
11. In sight of the goal
Meaning: Being near enough to see the successful conclusion of your work.
For Example: After weeks of practice, we were finally in sight of the goal. / She kept working because she was in sight of the goal.
Other Ways to Say: Near victory / Almost done
12. At the Eleventh Hour
Meaning: At the very last possible moment before time runs out.
For Example: He finished his history report at the eleventh hour right before class. / Our teacher changed the project instructions at the eleventh hour.
Other Ways to Say: At the last minute / Just in time
13. Knocking on the door
Meaning: Being very close to achieving a major milestone or breakthrough.
For Example: The young tennis player is knocking on the door of the top rankings. / Our club is knocking on the door of reaching our fundraising target.
Other Ways to Say: Nearing success / Close to entering
14. Just around the bend
Meaning: Located or scheduled just past a small curve or short time ahead.
For Example: The campsite is just around the bend down this forest trail. / A bright future is just around the bend if you keep trying.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby / Coming up soon
15. In the final stretch
Meaning: Completing the last remaining steps of a continuous effort.
For Example: We are in the final stretch of painting the classroom mural. / The choir entered the final stretch of rehearsals before opening night.
Other Ways to Say: Near the end / Closing in
16. On the verge of
Meaning: Extremely close to experiencing or starting something new.
For Example: The team was on the verge of making a huge comeback. / She was on the verge of solving the hard math riddle.
Other Ways to Say: Right on the brink / Bordering on
17. On the brink of
Meaning: Standing right at the edge of a significant achievement or event.
For Example: Scientists are on the brink of making a major discovery. / The young artist felt on the brink of a great creation.
Other Ways to Say: Close to the edge / About to reach
18. On the threshold of
Meaning: At the very entrance or beginning moment of a new phase.
For Example: The students felt on the threshold of a new adventure in middle school. / We stand on the threshold of a wonderful holiday.
Other Ways to Say: At the start of / Near entering
19. Touch and go
Meaning: A situation where success is uncertain but very close to being determined.
For Example: It was touch and go whether our flight would land before the storm. / The game was touch and go during the final ten seconds.
Other Ways to Say: Uncertain / Barely making it
20. So close you can taste it
Meaning: Being so near to achieving a reward that you can already feel the joy.
For Example: With one day left before the vacation, it is so close you can taste it. / Winning the trophy was so close you could taste it.
Other Ways to Say: Almost in reach / Practically achieved
21. Within touching distance
Meaning: Close enough that you could physically reach out and feel it.
For Example: The gold medal was within touching distance as he ran the final meter. / Our goal of building the treehouse was within touching distance.
Other Ways to Say: Very near / Within reach
22. In the home countdown
Meaning: Counting down the final remaining moments before an event starts or ends.
For Example: We are in the home countdown until the summer bell rings. / The space center entered the home countdown before launch.
Other Ways to Say: Final countdown / Last moments
23. Closing in on
Meaning: Getting steadily closer to a target, person, or goal.
For Example: The lead runner could tell the second player was closing in on her. / We are closing in on completing our reading challenge.
Other Ways to Say: Nearing / Getting closer to
24. One step away
Meaning: Needing only a single remaining action to complete a goal.
For Example: She is one step away from earning her new belt in karate. / We are one step away from finishing the giant jigsaw puzzle.
Other Ways to Say: Almost done / Nearly completed
25. Final lap
Meaning: The last circle or part of a continuous activity or effort.
For Example: The runner gave it all her energy during the final lap. / We are on the final lap of our spring cleaning session.
Other Ways to Say: Last round / Ending stage
26. Just a stone’s throw
Meaning: Separated by a very short and easy distance.
For Example: Our soccer field is just a stone’s throw from the school cafeteria. / The beach is just a stone’s throw from our hotel.
Other Ways to Say: Short distance / Right nearby
27. On the homeward path
Meaning: Traveling on the final stretch of a trip back to where you started.
For Example: After a week of camping, our family was on the homeward path. / The tired hikers felt happy to be on the homeward path.
Other Ways to Say: Heading home / Returning back
28. Almost over the finish line
Meaning: Having only a tiny fraction of work left before full completion.
For Example: Our group project is almost over the finish line now. / The construction of the playground is almost over the finish line.
Other Ways to Say: Nearly done / Almost finished
29. Down to the wire
Meaning: Continuing right up until the final moment to see the result.
For Example: The championship game went down to the wire in overtime. / Finishing our science poster went down to the wire.
Other Ways to Say: Until the last second / Close race
30. Last leg of the journey
Meaning: The final part or section of a long trip or process.
For Example: We reached the last leg of the journey after flying for six hours. / Writing the summary was the last leg of the journey for my essay.
Other Ways to Say: Final stage / Ending part
31. Near as a whisper
Meaning: Being extremely close in distance or presence quietly.
For Example: The quiet deer stepped near as a whisper to the campsite. / The end of the movie felt near as a whisper as clues unfolded.
Other Ways to Say: Very close / Barely separated
32. In the final hour
Meaning: At the last part of a set time period right before a deadline.
For Example: The student handed in her art piece in the final hour. / They scored the winning goal in the final hour of the tournament.
Other Ways to Say: At the last moment / Near the end
33. On the edge of success
Meaning: Positioned right before achieving a major victory or good outcome.
For Example: After months of practice, the band was on the edge of success. / She stood on the edge of success as she stepped up to spell.
Other Ways to Say: Nearly victorious / About to succeed
34. Close enough to touch
Meaning: So near that there is practically no space left between you and your goal.
For Example: The shiny championship trophy was close enough to touch. / The finish line banner looked close enough to touch.
Other Ways to Say: Within reach / Very close
35. Almost in your hands
Meaning: Just about to be held, owned, or fully completed by you.
For Example: The diploma felt almost in your hands on graduation day. / The prize was almost in her hands after winning the round.
Other Ways to Say: Nearly yours / Within reach
36. Just a hop, skip, and jump away
Meaning: Located at a very short, fun, and simple distance.
For Example: The community pool is just a hop, skip, and jump away from here. / The playground is a hop, skip, and jump away from my house.
Other Ways to Say: Very close / Right down the street
37. Approaching the mark
Meaning: Getting closer to a specific target number or milestone.
For Example: Our food drive is approaching the mark of one thousand cans. / The runner was approaching the mark for a personal record.
Other Ways to Say: Nearing the target / Reaching for the score
38. Closing the gap
Meaning: Reducing the distance or difference between you and your goal or rival.
For Example: The trailing swimmer was closing the gap during the final meters. / Practice helped our team close the gap on the leaders.
Other Ways to Say: Catching up / Narrowing the distance
39. In the final countdown
Meaning: Participating in the last remaining moments before a big start.
For Example: The students were in the final countdown before winter break. / The game entered the final countdown on the scoreboard clock.
Other Ways to Say: Ending moments / Last seconds
40. On the home run
Meaning: Performing the final easy actions that complete a whole job.
For Example: Once we finished the hard math, we were on the home run. / Painting the trim meant we were on the home run of decorating.
Other Ways to Say: Finishing up / Final stretch
41. Within an inch of
Meaning: Coming extremely close to an outcome or location.
For Example: He came within an inch of catching the falling ball. / She was within an inch of breaking the puzzle record.
Other Ways to Say: Barely missing / Incredibly close to
42. Within a hair of
Meaning: Separated by a tiny, almost invisible amount of time or space.
For Example: The runner came within a hair of winning first place. / Our cat came within a hair of catching the toy mouse.
Other Ways to Say: Just barely off / Extremely close
43. Nearly at the gate
Meaning: Right at the entrance to a new destination or victory.
For Example: The bus was nearly at the gate of the amusement park. / We were nearly at the gate of finishing our workbook.
Other Ways to Say: Close to entry / At the door
44. At the tail end
Meaning: Situated at the very last section or conclusion of an event.
For Example: We arrived at the concert at the tail end of the last song. / I caught the tail end of the movie on television.
Other Ways to Say: At the very end / Final part
45. In the closing moments
Meaning: Occurring during the final few seconds of an activity.
For Example: She scored a basket in the closing moments of the game. / The audience cheered in the closing moments of the play.
Other Ways to Say: Near the end / Final seconds
46. Shadows of the finish line
Meaning: Close enough to the end that you can feel its presence clearly.
For Example: The weary hikers walked in the shadows of the finish line. / The project team rested briefly in the shadows of the finish line.
Other Ways to Say: Almost done / Nearing the end
47. At the final hurdle
Meaning: Facing the very last obstacle before achieving total success.
For Example: Do not lose focus at the final hurdle of your project. / She passed the exam and overcame the final hurdle.
Other Ways to Say: Last obstacle / Final step
48. Nearly in the bag
Meaning: Success is practically certain and almost completely achieved.
For Example: With a ten-point lead, the game was nearly in the bag. / Getting an A felt nearly in the bag after studying hard.
Other Ways to Say: Almost secured / Nearly guaranteed
49. Right on the edge
Meaning: Positioned right where a big change or success is about to happen.
For Example: The team stood right on the edge of making history. / I felt right on the edge of remembering the correct answer.
Other Ways to Say: About to happen / On the brink
50. Approaching the finish line
Meaning: Moving steadily closer to the official end of a task or race.
For Example: The runners cheered as they were approaching the finish line. / We are approaching the finish line on our history assignment.
Other Ways to Say: Nearing the end / Almost done
51. Last mile of the way
Meaning: The final section of effort in a long and hard journey.
For Example: Everyone cheered us on during the last mile of the way. / Singing songs helped us get through the last mile of the way.
Other Ways to Say: Final stretch / Last leg
52. Inches away
Meaning: Separated by only a tiny physical distance.
For Example: The basketball bounced on the rim, inches away from going in. / She stood inches away from the hidden treasure chest.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely near / Very close
53. One step from the top
Meaning: Being in second place or needing one more action to reach the highest level.
For Example: The climber was just one step from the top of the wall. / Our school was one step from the top in the tournament.
Other Ways to Say: Almost first / Nearly at the peak
54. Almost home
Meaning: Nearly returning to your destination or completing your duty.
For Example: Look out the car window, we are almost home now. / After hours of work on the poster, we are almost home.
Other Ways to Say: Nearly there / Nearing the end
55. On the threshold
Meaning: Positioned right where something new is about to begin.
For Example: The graduates stood on the threshold of their future careers. / The club stood on the threshold of a new year.
Other Ways to Say: At the beginning / On the verge
56. Close behind
Meaning: Following very near to someone or something in front of you.
For Example: My little brother was running close behind me on the path. / Spring weather is close behind the melting snow.
Other Ways to Say: Following closely / Right behind
57. At the final bend
Meaning: Turning the last corner of a path or journey before the end.
For Example: The parade appeared as it came around the final bend. / Our team saw the goal once we reached the final bend.
Other Ways to Say: On the last stretch / Near the finish
58. Near the finish line
Meaning: Close to completing a race, task, or time period.
For Example: Keep running hard because you are near the finish line. / Our class is near the finish line of our book project.
Other Ways to Say: Almost done / Nearing completion
59. One block away
Meaning: Located just one short street distance from your location.
For Example: The park is only one block away from our school building. / My best friend lives just one block away from me.
Other Ways to Say: Very close / Right nearby
60. Rounding the turn
Meaning: Making the last turn in a path and heading straight for the finish.
For Example: The racehorses were rounding the turn into the home stretch. / Our project is rounding the turn as we add the final details.
Other Ways to Say: Turning for home / Final approach
Exercise to Practice
- With only two days of school left, we are finally in the home ________.
- The park is very close to our house, just a stone’s ________ away.
- Summer vacation is right around the ________, so everyone is excited.
- Our team played well and came within a ________ of winning the trophy.
- After weeks of hard work, the finish line was finally within ________.
- The basketball game was so close that it went down to the ________.
- She was one ________ away from earning her black belt in karate.
- We are on the last ________ of our long road trip back home.
- The ice cream shop is just a hop, skip, and ________ away from the beach.
- The trailing runner was closing the ________ during the last lap of the race.
- He submitted his final essay right at the eleventh ________ before midnight.
- With one day left before the party, it is so close you can ________ it.
- Our school food drive is approaching the ________ of five hundred items.
- The soccer match was very exciting during the closing ________.
- Look out the car window because we are almost ________ now.
Answer Key
- stretch
- throw
- corner
- whisker
- sight
- wire
- step
- leg
- jump
- gap
- hour
- taste
- mark
- moments
- home
Conclusion
Learning idioms for almost there is a great way to improve your vocabulary and express progress clearly. These creative phrases help make your speech and writing more lively when talking about finishing projects, races, or goals.
Try using a few of these expressions next time you are close to finishing your homework or completing a sport season. Sharing these fun idioms with friends and family will help you become a more confident and engaging communicator.
