Clear signs that something unpleasant or difficult is going to happen, even if not yet officially confirmed.
Examples:
- The writing is on the wall, Isobel — we knew what we were up against when we started.
- When the flagship store closed, the writing was on the wall for the entire retail chain.
Origin: From the Bible, in which a king receives an ominous prophetic message via writing that appears on his wall.
Synonyms: the signs are clear, the end is near, an omen is present