Writing on the wall

• This everyday expression means that the end of an enterprise has become inevitable.
• The phrase comes from The Bible, Daniel 5:27 KJV.

The Story in the Bible

• In the story from the Bible, the Writing on the wall were the words ‘Mene, Mene, Tekel Upharsin’, written by a mysterious hand at King Belshazzar’s Feast.
• Daniel was summoned to interpret the writing, and his explanation was that the King’s days were numbered, that he had been Weighed in the balance and found wanting, and that his kingdom would be given to the Medes and Persians.
• Belshazzar died that same night and his kingdom was taken by a Mede.