writing on the wall

短语

厄运的征兆

发音

UK /ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɒn ðə ˈwɔːl/
AU
US /ˈɹaɪtɪŋ ɑn ðə ˈwɔl/
US /ˈɹaɪ̯ɾɪŋ/

词形变化

writings on the wall 复数 writings on the wall writings on walls writings on walls 复数

别名

handwriting on the wall

释义与例句

n.
  1. 1.

    An ominous warning; a prediction of bad luck.

    厄运的征兆

    可数 习语 不可数

    He could see the writing on the wall months before the business failed.

词源

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.

来源：wiktionary