spell trouble

spell trouble

To foreshadow future problems. I'm worried that these dark clouds spell trouble for our day on the golf course. Police know very well that large crowds can spell trouble.
See also: spell, trouble
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spell trouble

to signify future trouble; to mean trouble. This letter that came today spells trouble. The sky looks angry and dark. That spells trouble.
See also: spell, trouble
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • spell
  • come in and sit a spell
  • storm clouds
  • gathering clouds
  • breathing spell
  • pitch dark
  • 180
  • do a 180
  • do a one-eighty
  • it strikes me that
References in periodicals archive
But it might spell trouble for Generika if Araneta is forced to the sidelines
'A slight mistake off the mound could spell trouble since the fairways are so narrow,' said Lascuna, who tied for second last year together with Jonel Ababa and American Nicolas Paez.
It is noteworthy that 70 percent of the transport engines in Karachi work on CNG and closing the CNG supply for 24 hours will spell trouble for the transporters as well as the travelers.
A source said: "One of the top bosses is very keen for one of the 1D lads - and is anti-Louis Walsh, which could spell trouble."
That could spell trouble for the state's fast-growing cities and industry.
And the twisting Barcelona circuit will suit the Milton Keynes car's superior handling, which may spell trouble for Mercedes driver Hamilton.
IN what could spell trouble for those who allegedly discussed illegal transactions over phone with corporate lobbyist Nira Radia, the Supreme Court is set to go through some of the transcripts of the intercepted conversations and decide on further course of action.
This can spell trouble now when they start going through their husband's text messages.
Button admitted the arrival of the fast, but erratic Perez could spell trouble as he tries to make his name in the big time.
That could spell trouble for the thousands of people descending on Tampa for the Republican National Convention, which convenes next week.
It is unclear at this time which specific components were delayed and whether this might spell trouble for other manufacturers dependent on launching their devices with Windows RT.
Marine scientists warn that such nonnative species could spell trouble for Oregon's ecosystem, since biological imports - particularly unwanted and unplanned ones - can often prove to be invasive species that are harmful to an area's balance of life.
TALK OF THE TREBLE CAN SPELL TROUBLE PAGES 70&71
"Some of the MPs are known for their attacks on other Kuwaitis and for their sectarianism and this could spell trouble," the analysts said.
It is one of the worst results of Putin's 12-year rule and could spell trouble for the leader at Russia's Presidential elections, set for March.