No, I really did mean it as written. Perhaps the phrase has fallen out of use in modern times.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-the-offing.html
In the Offing
Meaning
Imminent; likely to happen soon.
Origin
This is one of the many phrases of nautical origin. It is quite simple to understand once you know that 'the offing' is the part of the sea that can be seen from land, excluding those parts that are near the shore. Early texts also refer to it as 'offen' or 'offin'.
Someone who was watching out for a ship to arrive would first see it approaching when it was 'in the offing' and expected to dock before the next tide. Something that is 'in the offing' isn't happening now or even in a minute or two, but will inevitably happen before too long. The phrase has migrated from its naval origin into general use in the language and is now used to describe any event that is imminent.