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

There are plenty of false alarms, carbon footprints and all, and the future is unknowable, but watch for symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ShakeAlert system that warns about imminent shaking arriving from earthquakes sent a false alarm across California on Thursday morning for a magnitude 5.9 temblor that did not happen.

From Los Angeles Times

“After an extensive investigation, the incident was determined to be a false alarm,” the statement said.

From Los Angeles Times

Others, the sweet relief of a false alarm and disaster narrowly averted.

From Los Angeles Times

The ShakeAlert computer system that warns about the imminent arrival of shaking from earthquakes sent out a false alarm Thursday morning for a magnitude 5.9 temblor in Carson City, Nev., that did not actually happen.

From Los Angeles Times