see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall

phrase

: 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

Sophomore guard Ansley Ruh could see the writing on the wall for Kaneland. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, Hochul campaign spokesman Ryan Radulovacki suggested in a statement that Stefanik had merely read the writing on the wall about her candidacy. — Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2025

Yesterday, Sarah Leonard of the Columbia Journalism Review read the writing on the wall. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025

No doubt this wasn’t helped by the fact that the show's novelty had worn off and, to his credit, Dong-hyuk could see the writing on the wall. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025