1
general::
In the near or immediate future; soon to come. For example, Fan was delighted that exams were finished and graduation was in the offing. This expression originally meant "in the part of the ocean visible between shore and horizon"; its figurative use dates from the late 1700s. Also see IN THE WIND.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): in the offing
happening at some time in the future. • There is a big investigation in the offing, but I don’t know when. • It’s hard to tell what’s in the offing if you don’t keep track of things.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs