handwriting on the wall

Idioms  

1. Also, writing on the wall. A warning or presentiment of danger, as in The company was losing money, and seeing the handwriting on the wall, she started to look for another job. This expression comes from the Bible (Daniel 5:5–31), in which the prophet interprets some mysterious writing that a disembodied hand has inscribed on the palace wall, telling King Belshazzar that he will be overthrown.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

handwriting on the wall

But they could read the handwriting on the wall from the UAW’s contract settlements.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

Michael Cohen saw the handwriting on the wall.

From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2022

Black can see the handwriting on the wall after 41…Bxb6 42.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 14, 2021

At least they were not before events of the past month so brightly illuminated the handwriting on the wall.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2015

Standard Oil’s California Research and Development subsidiary read the handwriting on the wall: the decision was tantamount to cancellation.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik