Quiz: "writing" or "picture"?

The correct answer is: writing

"I'm not surprised they closed the Bristol office. The writing has been on the wall for a while now."

We use the idiom the writing is on the wall to say there are signs that something is going to have problems or that it is going to fail.

the writing is on the wall = das Ende ist abzusehen, die Vorzeichen stehen schlecht

Here are some more idioms that use the noun "writing" or the verb "write":

in writing — in the form of a letter or document (schriftlich, schwarz auf weiß)

• "They've promised me a replacement computer, but I need to see that in writing."

be written all over someone's face — (of a person's thoughts or feelings) very obvious to other people because of the expression on that person's face (jmdm. ins Gesicht geschrieben sein)

• "You can tell Sandra is angry with Peter. It's written all over her face."

to have something/someone written all over it — to show clearly a quality mentioned or the influence of a person mentioned (förmlich nach etw./jmdm. riechen)

• "What a fantastic design! It's got Kirsten written all over it — just so typical of her style."

• "I refuse to do business with that company. It's got trouble written all over it."
  

Try another:

"You're so lucky – I would ____ at the chance to work in Sydney!"

• grab
• jump