Do you know the expression 'the writing on the wall'? Perhaps you've heard someone use it. Or maybe you've read it somewhere. Either way, you might be wondering what it means. You're in the right place! In this article, we'll explore the meaning of this common idiom, its possible origins, and how to use it in a sentence.
If you want to know what it means, here's the short version:
Like most idioms, 'the writing on the wall' shouldn't be interpreted literally. Idioms are groups of words used to express a concept that only makes sense; the meaning can't be deciphered by looking at the terms separately. In other words, there is a figurative meaning here.
This expression indicates a clear and conspicuous sign that something is about to happen, typically something negative or ominous. When someone mentions 'the writing on the wall,' they suggest that clear signs point to a specific outcome, often unfavorable and unavoidable. It implies that the signs are so evident that it's hard to ignore or misinterpret them.
Imagine, for example, that you own a hotel and that bookings have been declining rapidly over the last few weeks, and the rooms are mostly empty.
You might say:
As sales continue to decline, it is becoming clear that the writing is on the wall for our beloved hotel.
In other words, you're saying that you're pretty sure your business will fail, and there's nothing you can do to save it.
Fun fact:
There are at least 26 songs titled 'Writing on the Wall', with some variants such as 'Writings on the Wall' and 'Writing on the Wall.'
The expression's origin can be traced back to the Book of Daniel in the Bible, where a disembodied hand appears and writes a message on the wall during a feast hosted by King Belshazzar.
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin
The king asks a prophet, Daniel, to interpret the words, which he translates as a warning of the king's impending downfall. Indeed, it's clear that the king saw the proverbial writing on the wall and was thereby warned of the catastrophic situation awaiting him. The king was killed that night, and the Babylonian Empire ended.
Now that we've covered the meaning of this idiom and its origins, here are some example sentences where it is used.
The writing on the wall was clear when your friend avoided your calls and canceled plans—it signaled something might be wrong.
The constant bickering in the group is the writing on the wall, signaling the end of their friendship.
When your boss keeps talking about cost-cutting measures, it's the writing on the wall that layoffs could happen.
The missed deadlines and lack of progress are the obvious writing on the wall for the success of the project.
The drop in customer satisfaction is significant writing on the wall for the future of the business.
The sudden departure of key team members is troubling writing on the wall for the stability of the department.
The team's repeated failure to meet targets is evident writing on the wall for their overall performance.
The rising tensions among colleagues are serious writing on the wall that the work environment is becoming toxic.
The company's decision to cut employee benefits is telling writing on the wall about its financial challenges.
The series of product recalls is unmistakable writing on the wall for the reputation of the brand.
There are many other ways to say that a bad situation is inevitable. They're great phrases to use if you're looking for alternatives.
Here are some of them:
That concludes this article about this famous expression. To summarize, 'the writing on the wall' is a sign of a challenging situation.
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