2. That which is written by hand; manuscript.
[1913 Webster]
{The handwriting on the wall}, a doom pronounced; an omen of disaster. --Dan. v. 5. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
(the) writing on the wall — the likelihood that something bad will happen. Area residents can see the writing on the wall and realize that if they don t cooperate with the police, these crimes will continue. As leaders, they should have seen the handwriting on the wall and… … New idioms dictionary
handwriting is on the wall — handwriting (is) on the wall see ↑wall, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑handwriting … Useful english dictionary
(the) handwriting on the wall — the ˌhandwriting on the ˈwall idiom (NAmE) = writing on the wall Main entry: ↑handwritingidiom … Useful english dictionary
The writing on the wall — For other uses, see The writing on the wall (disambiguation). Rembrandt s Belshazzar s Feast (1635) captures the scene of fear. (National Gallery, London) The writing on the wall (or the handwriting on the wall or the writing s on the wall or… … Wikipedia
the handwriting on the wall — phrasal Etymology: so called fr. the mysterious handwriting in the Bible that appeared on the wall of Belshazzar s palace to foretell his doom (Dan 5) : a doom foreshadowed : an omen of one s fate usually unpleasant … Useful english dictionary
the writing/handwriting is on the wall — (or see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall) used to say that it is clear that something bad will probably happen soon I haven t lost my job yet, but the writing is on the wall: my company just laid off 50 more people today. No one told him… … Useful english dictionary
handwriting on the wall — see under ↑write • • • Main Entry: ↑hand * * * handwriting (is) on the wall see ↑wall, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑handwriting … Useful english dictionary
the handwriting is on the wall — the handwriting (or writing) is on the wall there are clear signs that something unpleasant or unwelcome is going to happen the handwriting was on the wall for the old system Origin: with biblical allusion to Dan. 5:5, 25 8 … Useful english dictionary
the writing is on the wall — the writing (or handwriting) is on the wall see handwriting * * * the writing is on the wall (or see/read the writing on the wall) see ↑wall, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑writing … Useful english dictionary
(the) writing is on the wall — the writing is on the wall informal phrase used for saying that it seems likely that something will soon go wrong or stop existing Is the writing on the wall for tobacco advertising? Thesaurus: certain or likely to happensynonym general words… … Useful english dictionary
