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Region: General | Usage example: Managers were reading the tea leaves ahead of the merger announcement.

Reading the tea leaves

Meaning

Trying to predict the future based on subtle signs.

Usage

Used figuratively for forecasting outcomes from limited information.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

From tasseography, the practice of interpreting tea leaves as omens.

Popularized during the 1800s through fortune-telling traditions that traveled to English-speaking countries.

Related Idioms

Read the tea leaves

Predict the future from available signs.

Lost in translation

Subtle meaning or nuance that does not survive translation from one language to another.

A shot in the dark

A guess based on little information.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.