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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 

Dictionary Entries Near see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall

seercraft

see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall

seeress

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 14 Nov. 2024.

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