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
Detmers read the writing on the wall and stopped working on the sculpture in 2000.
—
Curbed, 10 Aug. 2023
Pope Francis should see the writing on the wall and revise the Holy See’s China policy.
—Nina Shea, National Review, 6 Aug. 2023
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the maker of Bud Light, began to see the writing on the wall a decade ago.
—J. Edward Moreno, New York Times, 28 July 2023
At Center Theatre Group, CEO Meghan Pressman said the large size of the organization allowed leaders to see the writing on the wall earlier than other theaters.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 July 2023
After the Cincinnati Bengals’ final preseason game heading into the 2022 season, wide receiver Trenton Irwin could read the writing on the wall.
—Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2022
Those who have studied or participated in corporate venturing for a while can see the writing on the wall.
—Trond Arne Undheim, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022
As wells run dry in other parts of the state, residents and local officials see the writing on the wall – get proactive or lose the water.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 4 Feb. 2023
Hunter Renfroe has been around long enough to be able to read the handwriting on the wall.
—Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 24 Nov. 2022
See More
Curbed, 10 Aug. 2023
Pope Francis should see the writing on the wall and revise the Holy See’s China policy.
—Nina Shea, National Review, 6 Aug. 2023
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the maker of Bud Light, began to see the writing on the wall a decade ago.
—J. Edward Moreno, New York Times, 28 July 2023
At Center Theatre Group, CEO Meghan Pressman said the large size of the organization allowed leaders to see the writing on the wall earlier than other theaters.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 July 2023
After the Cincinnati Bengals’ final preseason game heading into the 2022 season, wide receiver Trenton Irwin could read the writing on the wall.
—Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2022
Those who have studied or participated in corporate venturing for a while can see the writing on the wall.
—Trond Arne Undheim, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022
As wells run dry in other parts of the state, residents and local officials see the writing on the wall – get proactive or lose the water.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 4 Feb. 2023
Hunter Renfroe has been around long enough to be able to read the handwriting on the wall.
—Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 24 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“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 29 Sep. 2023.
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