false alarm

American  

noun

1. a false report of a fire in progress to a fire department.

2. something that excites unfounded alarm or expectation.

   Rumors of an impending transit strike proved to be a false alarm.

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false alarm British  

noun

1. a needless alarm given in error or with intent to deceive

2. an occasion on which danger is perceived but fails to materialize

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false alarm Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of false alarm

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

False alarm — the line judge called a fault.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2014

False alarm, the statehooders reply; the U.S. is expanding trade with Latin America, and Puerto Rico is a natural gateway.

From Time Magazine Archive

"False alarm," said Luke, after midnight had sounded out on the ship's bell.

From At the Fall of Port Arthur Or, A Young American in the Japanese Navy by Stratemeyer, Edward

"False alarm," he said as he pulled on his mask.

From Poisoned Air by Meek, S. P. (Sterner St. Paul)