read the tea leaves
The phrase "read the tea leaves" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of predicting or interpreting future events or outcomes, often by examining subtle signs or clues. The origin of this phrase lies in the practice of tasseography, which involves fortune-telling or divination through the interpretation of patterns formed by tea leaves or coffee grounds remaining in a cup after drinking. Thus, "reading the tea leaves" has come to represent the act of analyzing available information or evidence to make predictions or draw conclusions about the future.
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