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A point in time or state immediately preceding a significant transformation or shift.
She stood on the cusp of change, ready to leave her corporate job for entrepreneurship.
She was about to make a major life change by leaving her stable job to start her own business.
The fashion industry is on the cusp of change with the rise of sustainable materials.
The fashion industry is about to undergo a significant shift toward sustainable materials.
Often used to describe personal, societal, technological, or organizational transformations. The phrase implies both anticipation and inevitability of change.
This phrase works well in essays discussing societal, technological, or personal transformations. Pair it with specific examples of the changes you're describing (e.g., 'The Industrial Revolution placed society on the cusp of unprecedented technological advancement.').
Reserve this phrase for significant, transformative changes rather than everyday transitions. Saying 'I'm on the cusp of finishing my coffee' would sound unnatural.
The word 'cusp' derives from Latin 'cuspis' meaning 'point' or 'tip,' originally referring to a pointed end or apex. It entered English in the 16th century with meanings related to geometry and astronomy. 'Change' comes from Old English 'cēngan,' meaning 'to make different.' The phrase 'cusp of change' emerged in the 20th century, combining the spatial metaphor of a point with the temporal concept of transformation.
This phrase is commonly used in formal contexts to describe impending but unspecified transformations. It carries a neutral or slightly positive connotation, suggesting progress rather than decline. Avoid using it for minor or gradual changes.