false alarm
Meaning
A warning or sign of danger that turns out to be untrue; an unnecessary alert or panic.
Origin
From the literal sense of an alarm (a warning signal) that is “false,” i.e., triggered by mistake or misinformation; used for fire alarms, security alerts, then broadened to any mistaken scare.
Notes
Used for alarms/alerts or any scare that proves unfounded. Neutral, common in everyday speech; can describe both devices and situations.
Examples
-
The fire alarm went off during the meeting, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
-
I thought I lost my wallet, but it was in my other jacket—false alarm.
-
The police rushed to the mall after a report of gunshots, but it was a false alarm.
-
Don’t panic; the strange noise you heard was a false alarm caused by the wind.
-
The security app warned me about an intruder, but it was a false alarm triggered by my cat.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually a noun phrase: “It was a false alarm.” Also used as “false-alarm call” (compound adjective) or “a false alarm went off” (the alarm proved false).
Synonyms
- mistaken alert
- bogus alarm
- unfounded scare
- false alert
Antonyms
- real alarm
- genuine threat
- true warning