see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall
idiom
: to be aware that something bad will probably happen soon
No one told him he was going to be fired, but he could see the writing on the wall.
Examples of see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Back in training camp, Jason Dickinson could see the writing on the wall.
—
Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024
The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs was years in the making, so Dantas said the ACOG could see the writing on the wall and was preparing for it.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 10 July 2024
Easley said Citizens could see the writing on the wall, and wanted to be proactive.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Further, Ant founder Jack Ma – the architect of some of its greatest successes as well as its falling out with regulators given his unwillingness to read the writing on the wall – has been forced to relinquish control over the company’s operations.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024
The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs was years in the making, so Dantas said the ACOG could see the writing on the wall and was preparing for it.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 10 July 2024
Easley said Citizens could see the writing on the wall, and wanted to be proactive.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Further, Ant founder Jack Ma – the architect of some of its greatest successes as well as its falling out with regulators given his unwillingness to read the writing on the wall – has been forced to relinquish control over the company’s operations.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall
Dictionary Entries Near see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall
Cite this Entry
“See/read the writing/handwriting on the wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/see%2Fread%20the%20writing%2Fhandwriting%20on%20the%20wall. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share