were about to

language: ja

definitions

  1. were on the verge of doing something; were immediately before doing something
    ja: 〜しようとしていた；まさに〜しようとしていた

examples

  1. They were about to start the meeting when the fire alarm went off.

    彼らはちょうど会議を始めようとした時、火災警報が鳴った。