see it coming

see (something) coming

To foresee, predict, or prepare for something well in advance of it actually arriving or happening. I saw this coming: You've been working too hard for too many days in a row not to come down with a really bad flu. Fortunately, we saw this service shutdown coming, so we set up a secondary system for dealing with customer queries in the meantime.See also: coming, see

see it coming

To realize that something is approaching or is about to happen, usually but not always something bad. Can refer to both literal sight and foresight. I can't believe Vanessa broke up with me. I never saw it coming. I think he'll be able to make the catch if he sees it coming. I knew what the punchline was going to be as soon as he started the joke. I could see it coming a mile away.See also: coming, see