about to

[about to]

1. Close to; ready to. — Used with an infinitive.

* /We were about to leave when the snow began./

* /I haven't gone yet, but I'm about to./

Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF.

2. {informal} Having a wish or plan to. — Used with an infinitive in negative sentences.

* /Freddy wasn't about to give me any of his ice-cream cone./

* /"Will she come with us?" asked Bill. "She's not about to," answered Mary./

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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