ðə ˈraɪtɪŋ ɒn ðə wɔːl
General
neutral
advanced
- Literally:
- Words written on a wall surface
What does "the writing on the wall" mean?
Clear signs that something unpleasant is going to happen
Examples
- The writing was on the wall for the company when its biggest client left.
- She could see the writing on the wall and started looking for a new job.
- Despite the writing on the wall, the board refused to change strategy.
Origin
From the Bible, Daniel 5.
How to use it
Used to describe unmistakable signs of impending trouble.
Similar expressions
ominous sign
harbinger
warning signal
Opposites
promising sign
good omen
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "the writing on the wall" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.