From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthe writing is on the wallthe writing is on the wall (also see/read the writing on the wall)CERTAINLY/DEFINITELY used to say that it seems very likely that something will not exist much longer or someone will failthe writing is on the wall for The writing is on the wall for old manufacturing industries. → writing
Examples from the Corpus
the writing is on the wall• Although two points clear of the pack, the writing is on the wall for Aberdeen unless some one starts banging goals away.• The writing is on the wall for old manufacturing industries. 