The writing is on the wall means something is heading for an end, and the signs are obvious. After six months without customers, the writing was on the wall for the café: everyone could see it would close. It's usually about a bad outcome: failure, closure, losing a job. See the writing on the wall means noticing those signs in time.
When would you say the writing is on the wall?
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the writing is on the wall for + person / thing; see the writing on the wall
- After months without customers, the writing was on the wall for the café.
- The captain saw the writing on the wall when half the team left.
- The writing is on the wall for the old ticket system: everyone now uses the new app.
What changed
First versionWriting is on the wall for the struggling club.
RevisionThe writing is on the wall for the struggling club.
Writing on its own looks like a general activity, so the drops out at the start: Writing is on the wall. But the idiom is a whole fixed sentence with the article: the writing is on the wall. Adding the makes it recognisable.
A wake-up call is a warning after which you can still fix things: The bad review was a wake-up call. The writing is on the wall means the outcome is almost decided: The writing is on the wall for the old system. Time will tell is the opposite: the answer is still open.
Your turn
Sales have fallen for a year, and the writing is on the wall ___ the shop.
Show the answer
for — The thing facing its end is introduced with for: the writing is on the wall for the shop. To isn't used here.
Describe a shop, club or project that already shows clear signs it will soon close.
With no new members and several cancelled events, the writing is on the wall for the club.
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