Idiom
The writing on the wall
The writing on the wall is a clear sign that something bad, such as failure or the end of something, is coming.
How people use it
People usually say someone can see or read the writing on the wall, meaning they recognize the warning signs and expect the outcome: "When sales kept falling, the staff saw the writing on the wall." It often leads to action, such as leaving a job before it is cut. American English also uses "the handwriting on the wall." Don't confuse it with graffiti; the phrase is about warning signs, not actual writing. The tone is neutral.
Also said: the handwriting on the wall, see the writing on the wall.
Examples
- When the store started selling off its shelves, the employees saw the writing on the wall.
- Sam read the writing on the wall and started looking for a new apartment before the rent went up.
- After three losing seasons, the writing on the wall was clear for the old coach.
Where it comes from
It comes from the Book of Daniel in the Bible. During a feast, the Babylonian king Belshazzar sees a mysterious hand write words on the palace wall. Daniel explains that the words mean the king's rule is ending and his kingdom will be divided. The story made the writing on the wall a symbol of coming doom that can't be ignored.
Check yourself
1. If you see the writing on the wall, what do you notice?
Answer: Signs that something bad is coming. The writing on the wall means clear signs of coming trouble or failure.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: When the factory cut shifts again, the workers saw the writing on the wall.. Repeated cuts are warning signs, which is what the idiom describes.
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