Writing on the wall
Meaning
An obvious sign or indication that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen in the near future.
Origin
The phrase bursts from the dramatic pages of the biblical Book of Daniel, chapter 5. Imagine King Belshazzar of Babylon, deep into a decadent feast, blasphemously using sacred vessels stolen from the temple in Jerusalem. Suddenly, the party takes a chilling turn: a disembodied hand materializes in thin air, its ghostly fingers inscribing mysterious words onto the plaster wall of the palace. Belshazzar is paralyzed with terror. None of his court magicians can decipher the cryptic message. It's the prophet Daniel who finally steps forward, delivering the stark interpretation of "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin"—a divine prophecy that foretold the king's imminent death and the swift downfall of his kingdom that very night. This unforgettable, divinely-sent warning became the enduring idiom for an unmistakable sign of impending doom or failure.
Examples
- After three quarters of declining sales, the writing on the wall was clear for the struggling business.
- The constant arguments between the co-founders were the writing on the wall that their partnership was doomed.