"Nigh on" is an idiomatic expression that means "almost" or "nearly." The spelling of "nigh" is pronounced /naɪ/, which is the same as the word "high." The word "on" is pronounced /ɒn/ and is commonly used as a preposition to indicate location or proximity. When used together, "nigh on" creates a compound expression with the meaning of "almost there," "almost finished," or "nearly completed." This idiom has been in use since the 16th century and remains popular in modern English.
Nigh on is a phrase that is commonly used in English to signify being very close to or almost reaching a particular state, quantity, or condition. It is a colloquial expression that conveys the idea of something being almost achieved or achieved to a large extent.
The phrase "nigh on" is derived from the words "nigh" and "on." The word "nigh" means near or close in old English, while "on" can be understood as denoting progress or movement towards a desired goal or outcome.
When used in a sentence, "nigh on" emphasizes the proximity to a target or the extent of advancement towards a specific goal. For instance, one might say, "The construction of the new road is nigh on complete," indicating that the road is almost finished or very close to being finished. Alternatively, "He has been working on the project nigh on seven years" illustrates that the individual has been dedicating a substantial amount of time, nearly seven years, to the project.
Overall, "nigh on" highlights the nearness or degree of accomplishment of a particular state or condition and is often used to emphasize a significant level of progress or achievement in a given context.
The phrase "nigh on" has its roots in Middle English and it is a combination of two words.
1. Nigh: The word "nigh" means "near" or "close" in Old English. Its origins can be traced back to the Germanic word "neh" or "nēhwan" which shares a similar meaning. Over time, "nigh" became a common word in Middle English to indicate proximity or closeness.
2. On: The word "on" in this phrase doesn't have a specific etymology of its own in this context. It functions as a preposition giving intensity or completion to the word "nigh". Similar use of "on" can be found in other phrases or idioms such as "hard on" or "easy on".