border on

1 to come very close to being that comment borders on insubordination, and you should be more careful in the future Synonyms touch (on), trench (on), verge (on) Related Words approach, near; appear, look, resemble, seem, suggest; approximate, compare (with), measure up (to), stack up (against or with)

2 to be adjacent to that state borders on three others Synonyms abut, adjoin (on), butt (on or against), flank, fringe, join, march (with), neighbor, skirt, touch, verge (on)Related Words attach (to), communicate (with), connect (with), link (with); bound, embrace, encircle, enclose (also inclose), fence, line, margin, rim, surround; contact, converge, meet