Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

read-the-runes

idiom

reed-thuh-roonz

Definition

To interpret or understand signs or omens, often derived from runes, which are characters in a symbolic alphabet used in ancient Germanic languages.

Examples

She claimed she could read the runes in the way the clouds moved across the sky.
Experts often read the runes of ancient texts to uncover hidden knowledge.
He tried to read the runes of her expression to guess how she felt about the proposal.

Meaning

The phrase implies the ability to perceive deeper meanings or predictions in seemingly obscure symbols or events, particularly related to fate or destiny.