目(め)の前(まえ)

めのまえ
noun
right before one's eyes; in front of one
1. right before one's eyes; right in front of one
The physical space directly in front of someone, within their immediate field of vision.
目(め)の前(まえ)に海(うみ)が見(み)える。
The ocean is visible right in front of me.
目(め)の前(まえ)で事故(じこ)が起(お)きた。
An accident happened right before my eyes.
子供(こども)が目(め)の前(まえ)で転(ころ)んで、すぐに助(たす)け起(お)こした。
The child fell right in front of me, and I immediately helped them up.
2. imminent; just ahead
Something that is about to happen or is very close in time, used figuratively.
試験(しけん)が目(め)の前(まえ)だ。
The exam is just around the corner.
締(し)め切(き)りが目(め)の前(まえ)に迫(せま)っている。
The deadline is looming right ahead.
卒業(そつぎょう)が目(め)の前(まえ)に迫(せま)り、就職(しゅうしょく)活動(かつどう)に追(お)われている。
With graduation right around the corner, I'm busy with job hunting.

A very common expression used both literally and figuratively. In its literal sense, it describes the space directly in front of someone's eyes. In the figurative sense, it describes events or deadlines that are imminent. Often used with particles で (indicating location of an event) and に (indicating direction or proximity).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 目(め)の前(まえ)で: right in front of (one's eyes) — for witnessing events
  • 目(め)の前(まえ)に: right before; right ahead — for proximity or imminence
  • 目(め)の前(まえ)に迫(せま)る: to be approaching; to loom
  • 目(め)の前(まえ)が真(ま)っ暗(くら)になる: to see nothing but darkness ahead — to feel hopeless

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 目(め)の前(まえ)が真(ま)っ白(しろ)になる: one's mind goes blank — from shock or surprise
  • 目(め)と鼻(はな)の先(さき): a stone's throw away — very close in distance
general
Added 2026.4.7 4:11
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