Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
false alarm
Phrase
/fɔːls əˈlɑːrm/
Definition
A warning or signal that indicates a problem or danger which does not exist.
Examples
- The fire department arrived quickly, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
- She panicked at the sound of the smoke detector, but it was just a false alarm caused by burnt toast.
- After checking, they realized that the security alert was a false alarm triggered by a raccoon.
Meaning
A ‘false alarm’ occurs when someone believes that there is a threat or emergency, but later finds out that there was no actual danger. This term is often used in situations involving fire alarms, security alerts, or other warning systems.
Synonyms
- False alert
- Misfire
- Overreaction
