なりかける

ichidan verb

be on the verge of; be about to; be close to

Used with the continuative form (連用形) of a verb to indicate that an action or state is about to happen or is almost reached. Often implies a process that is nearly complete.

• 彼かれは医い者しゃになりかけている。

  He is on the verge of becoming a doctor.

• 空そらが夕ゆう焼やけ色いろになりかけた。

  The sky was starting to turn the color of sunset.

• 計けい画かくは白はく紙しになりかけた。

  The plan nearly came to nothing.