What does "the writing on the wall" mean?

The writing on the wall (or sometimes 'handwriting on the wall') is an expression that suggests a portent of doom or misfortune. It originates in the Biblical book of Daniel - where supernatural writing fortells the demise of the Babylonian Empire, but it has come to have a wide usage in language and literature.

2006-09-29 01:57:06 · answer #1 · answered by eeaglenest 3 · 11⤊ 0⤋

Writing On The Wall Meaning

2016-09-29 11:22:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋

It means the breeder is willing to pay for any vet bills or exchange the puppy in it's lifetime should the dog come up with a genetic disease or defect. No, you can't predict the future. But reputable breeders will test their dogs for genetic disease before breeding, and will likely offer vet payment or replacement should one of their pups pop up with one. If you are buying a pup from a person that does not have one OR only covers a year of it's life, then you are buying from an irresponsible breeder that does not test for the disease... and may end up with a pup that has something like hip dysplasia (which is painful and costly to treat.) Add - That's my take on it and that's what i look for... the guarantee itself could include the pups medical history (such as vet and last vet check clearing the dog for sale.) May also include a mandatory spay/neuter clause and/or return to seller and not a shelter.

2016-03-16 01:29:39 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋

This comes from the bible, from the book of Daniel, King Nebuchanezzar of Babylon so the words Mene Men Tekel Upharsim written on the wall presumably by God. Daniel translate this saying the days of the Babylonian empire are numbered and will be destroyed.
So nowadays this phrase means that there is bad news clear for all to see.

2006-09-29 01:59:37 · answer #4 · answered by Chris C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋

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RE:
What does "the writing on the wall" mean?

2015-08-18 17:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by Carmel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋

The term actually originated in the bible and has now come into common usage to signify a foretelling of something coming to an end or the ability to foresee the end, in general a portent of doom.
What was written on the wall in the bible was MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN or upharsin.
I am certainly no expert on the bible and have no desire to preach it to you... but a good encapsulated version of the story can be found on wikipedia.

2006-09-29 02:05:53 · answer #6 · answered by leavemealonestalker 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋

The phrase infers that a particular fact, or subject matter, should be "obvious," to any person with average intelligence.

2006-09-29 01:59:24 · answer #7 · answered by rebecca_sld 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋

It means that the "ya shoulda seen it coming, its obvious, the clues are in front of you.

2006-09-29 02:00:30 · answer #8 · answered by wcj175136 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋

'Thats the writing on the wall' means sort of 'thats the way it is' or 'end of story'. For example, if someone has just explained something to you, or perhaps for example a person's parents have said they are grounded and cannot go out to a party, they might end the conversation with '...and thats the writing on the wall'.

2006-09-29 01:59:41 · answer #9 · answered by carmijune 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋

I think it means when you screw something up, like your life, because you've done something wrong. And you make up for it by doing the opposite; which is doing something right.

2016-05-31 02:02:53 · answer #10 · answered by T.J. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋

What does "the writing on the wall" mean?

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