一いっ歩ぽ手て前まえ

expression

just this side of; one step short of; on the brink

Used to describe a state just before reaching a certain condition or location, often with a nuance of being very close but not quite there.

• 彼かれの態たい度どは失しつ礼れい一いっ歩ぽ手て前まえだ。

  His attitude is just this side of rude.

• 駅えきの一いっ歩ぽ手て前まえで車くるまが故こ障しょうした。

  The car broke down just before the station.