was about to
Estuve a punto de no venir de París.
I was about to not come from Paris.
I was about to drown.
I was about to give up.
Estuve a punto de llamarte pero se me pasó con todo el jaleo que tenía.
I was about to call you but I forgot with all the commotion I had.
Estuve a punto de sugerir lo mismo.
I was about to suggest the same thing.
Estuve a punto de ahogarme al intentar rescatar a un chico.
I almost drowned while trying to rescue a boy.
Estuve a punto de pedírtelo como regalo de cumpleaños.
I was about to ask you for it as a birthday present.
— Todo sobre mi madre (1999)
De niño, estuve a punto de ahogarme en un estanque.
As a child, I almost drowned in a pond.
— Vivir (1952)
Estuve a punto de dar mi camioneta a tu mujer y a tu hijo, pare que se escapen.
I was about to give my pickup truck to your wife and son so they could escape.
— Relatos salvajes (2014)
Estuve a punto de ser apuñalado.
I was almost stabbed.