writing on wall
Clear warning sign
Writing on wall, usually preceded by *the*, refers to clear signs that something bad is about to happen.
The phrase comes from a biblical story in which mysterious words appeared on a wall during a feast, foretelling the king's doom.
To see the writing on the wall is to recognize warning signs others might miss or ignore: The writing was on the wall for months before the company collapsed.
- graffitiIllegal surface markings
- spray canPressurized dispenser with nozzle
- urban artCreative expression in cities
- prophecyForetelling of future events
- omenProphetic indicator
warning · final warning · bad omen · mural · scrawl · message · Babylon · Daniel · doom · end times · spray paint · vandalism · handwriting · sign · portent · foreboding · see it coming · inscription
- omensomens, omen, portent, portents, signs
- warning signsred flag, yield sign, warning sign, caution sign, siren
- Sacred Allegoriesparable, allegory of the cave, Paradise Lost, Pilgrim's Progress, Divine Comedy
writing on wallsubtle hint
Indirect, understated indication
cryptic message · mixed signals · hidden meaning · dog whistle · smoke and mirrors
writing on wallgood omen
Favorable sign of future
silver lining · bright future · ray of hope · green light · light at the end of the tunnel
writing on wallwillful blindness
Conscious avoidance of knowledge
head in sand · blissful ignorance · denial · turning a blind eye · obliviousness
writing, wall, write, writes, written, writer, writers, writ, writs