before prep chiefly Sth, S Midl
In v phr be just before foll by vbl n: To be on the point of.
1930 Le Mars Globe–Post (IA) 6 Oct 7/4 cnGA, “I spose you’ll go to your hotel now and sleep all day tomorrow?” “Not on your life,” they brightly reply. “We’re just before leaving for home.” 1936 Gastonia Daily Gaz. (NC) 22 Feb 4/3, I’m just before giving you that grand Presbyterian recipe that women of the First church have been scanning this column for. 1938 AmSp 13.4 seAR, I’m just before going to town. 1950 Hattiesburg Amer. (MS) 4 Dec 9/1, I am just before coming to the conclusion that old man Mehre is a bit slow on the trigger when it comes to this game they call football. 1954 El Paso Herald–Post (TX) 17 Sept 14/1, In case you’ve been wondering who the new manager for the El Paso Country Club is, I’m just before telling you: He’s Bill McLaughlin. 1975 Ruston Daily Leader (LA) 27 Nov sec C 1/2, I was just before giving up when I decided to try once more. 1987 Kytle Voices 219 NC, The owner had a nephew who was just before losing his job though, and I knew that my days were numbered. 1994 DARE File cWV, I have a few questions about expressions that are natural to me, although living in New England for many years I no longer use them. . . “We’re just before goin’ out (We’re fixin’ to go out).” 1996 Times–News (Burlington NC) 15 May sec C 1/1, There’s a lot of excitement here at the Times–News. We’re just before moving into a new building. 2008 in 2015 DARE File—Internet wTN, I was just before being scheduled for surgery when a friend at work suggested that I give Dr. Cole a call. 2015 Ibid swAL, I bought this truck for $800 from my uncle. . . He was just before scrap[p]ing the truck.