writing on the wall
/ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɑn ðə ˈwɔl/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.75 in modern English
26
Scrabble Score
16
Letters
2
Syllables
11
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "He could see the writing on the wall months before the business failed."
- "She should have seen the writing on the wall when her boss suggested a change of career."
- "However, regardless of evil portents, prophetic despair and a great deal too much writing on the wall, I have managed so far to write two fairly cheerful musical comedies."
- "The Portuguese refused to read the writings on the wall and clung to their colonies, including the one in India."
- "Without a doubt these trends represent the "next big thing". Consider a sampling of recent headlines as writings on the wall: […]"
- "Don't you see the implications and writings on the wall for our family's future?"
Etymology
From the Biblical story in Daniel 5, where, during a feast held by King Belshazzar, a hand suddenly appears and writes on a wall the following Aramaic words: מְנֵא מְנֵא תְּקֵל וּפַרְסִין (mənē mənē təqēl ūp̄arsīn, “numbered, numbered, weighed, and they are divided”) (Daniel 5:25). Daniel interprets the words as pointing to the downfall of the Babylonian Empire.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɑn ðə ˈwɔl/
- British English: /ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɒn ðə ˈwɔːl/