FALSE ALARM Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

false alarm

noun

a false report of a fire in progress to a fire department.
something that excites unfounded alarm or expectation:
Rumors of an impending transit strike proved to be a false alarm.

false alarm

noun

a needless alarm given in error or with intent to deceive
an occasion on which danger is perceived but fails to materialize

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of false alarm¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

A warning signal that is groundless, made either by mistake or as a deliberate deception. For example, The rumor that we were all going to get fired was just a false alarm , or Setting off a false alarm is a criminal offense . This expression, first recorded in 1579, today is often used for a report of a nonexistent fire.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Garcia wrote that his intention was to determine whether “additional statutory requirements, guidance, or regulations” are needed to prevent future false alarms.

From

If there is no indication of a false alarm or if a second detector sends a warning, fire alarms are then normally activated throughout the building.

From

He defended how officers have operated during the recent fires, noting that false alarms about evacuations and other conflicting information circulating online have made everyone’s jobs harder.

From

He didn’t want to jeopardize two years of effort over a false alarm.

From

Last year, the 28-year-old posted a selfie to her Instagram story wearing a ring on her finger, but it was a false alarm for fans getting ahead of themselves.

From

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse