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
Many fossil fuel companies see the writing on the wall and are investing in EV charging infrastructure for all your energy needs.
—
Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Soter said companies that had been preparing to meet the rule's requirements could see the writing on the wall, with Donald Trump's election victory marking a reversal from the climate action under President Joe Biden.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Despite campaign promises to swiftly end Russia’s three-year invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seems to have read the writing on the wall.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 21 Jan. 2025
Back in training camp, Jason Dickinson could see the writing on the wall.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall
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Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Soter said companies that had been preparing to meet the rule's requirements could see the writing on the wall, with Donald Trump's election victory marking a reversal from the climate action under President Joe Biden.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Despite campaign promises to swiftly end Russia’s three-year invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seems to have read the writing on the wall.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 21 Jan. 2025
Back in training camp, Jason Dickinson could see the writing on the wall.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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 1 May. 2025.
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