false alarm

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.

false alarm

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of false alarm¹

First recorded in 1570–80

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.

Example Sentences

The window had been disconnected from the alarm system after a defect caused repeated false alarms.

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That turned out to be a false alarm, with a mechanic finding only a malfunction with a warning light.

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And though the Aukus review was a scare it was ultimately a false alarm.

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However, at 06:38 on Friday, he explained the "unknown vessel" was a false alarm.

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Over the years, there have been so many instances that felt as if they had to be the beginning of the end, and they all ended up being false alarms.

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