on this side of
Not yet past
On this side of indicates a position nearer to the speaker or reference point, as opposed to what lies beyond a boundary: on this side of the river, on this side of the border.
It extends to time and thresholds: on this side of midnight means before midnight, and on this side of the grave means while still alive.
The phrase can also mark a boundary of propriety or safety: just on this side of rude, staying on this side of the law.
- nearerMore proximate
- beforePrior in time
- in front ofPreceding in position
- short ofLacking sufficient quantity of
- arrivalAct of reaching destination
preceding · proximal · within reach · adjacent · inside · neighboring · rather than · approach · contiguous · bordering · the river · closer · over here · threshold · supportive · vicinity · hither · step