bad signs
Unwelcome harbingers ahead
Bad signs are indicators that something is wrong or likely to go wrong—warnings of trouble ahead.
The phrase usually appears when assessing a situation: The silence from headquarters was a bad sign.
Flickering lights and a burning smell are bad signs in any appliance.
The singular form works the same way: It's a bad sign when your lawyer won't return calls.
- inauspiciousShowing poor prospects
- ill omenSign predicting misfortune
- omenProphetic indicator
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- shadowLight blocked by object
portent · dark clouds · foreboding · alarm bells · black cat · broken mirror · foretoken · bloodstains · warning · misfortune · premonition · writing on the wall · sinister · abandoned buildings · sinking ship · debacle · avoidance behavior · storm brewing
bad signsgreen flags
Positive warning signs
bright spots · silver linings · good tidings · green lights · upticks
bad signsreassurances
Statements restoring confidence
good news · comfort · encouragement · relief · morale boosters
bad, badly, badness, sign, signs, signed, signing, signer, signal