on the cusp of…
2017.08.03
Meaning:
‘on the cusp of’ basically means ‘on the edge of’. We usually use it to mean ‘starting soon’. ‘We are on the cusp of a great technological discovery’ means ‘We will discover some great technology really soon’. ‘I am on the cusp of middle age’ means ‘I am going to be middle-aged soon (ie I am around 40’). Use a noun or …ing verb after ‘on the cusp of…’. This expression is not negative or positive, but it does sound important. So we don’t use it for everyday situations – we never say ‘I am on the cusp of going to work’, for example.
Example:
A: Hey look at this news – Elon Musk says we are on the cusp of an electric car revolution.
B: I hope that means electric cars are getting cheaper!
Talking Point(s):
Do you think we are on the cusp of an electric car revolution?
大人からの英会話getgo 西船橋・荻窪・津田沼・本八幡