on the anvil

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Prepositional phrase

on the anvil

1. (idiomatic) In a state of discussion, formation, or preparation; not yet matured.
   • November 1 1711, William King, letter to Jonathan Swift

     I have several things on the anvil, and near finished, that perhaps might be useful if published

   • 1863, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, “In Which Captain Devereux’s Fiddle Plays a Prelude to ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’”, in The House by the Church-yard. […], volume I, London: Tinsley, Brothers, […], →OCLC, page 308:

     She designed his retirement from the Royal Irish Artillery, and had negociated an immediate berth for him on the staff of the Commander of the Forces, and a prospective one in the household of Lord Townshend; she had another arrangement "on the anvil" for a seat in Parliament, which she would accomplish, if that were possible; and finally, a wife.