estuve a punto de

was about to

→ estar
phrase Rare #29,819
was about to Used before an infinitive to say something nearly happened.
SP: Estuve a punto de salir cuando empezó a llover.
EN: I was about to leave when it started to rain.

Estuve a punto de no venir de París.

I was about to not come from Paris.

Estuve a punto de ahogarme.

I was about to drown.

Estuve a punto de rendirme.

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.