Write on the wall

Meaning

A visible sign that something is about to fail.

Usage

Used when evidence of trouble is apparent.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Biblical story of mysterious writing predicting doom.

Fetched into modern speech as a warning after the Biblical tale.