False alarm Meaning in English
expression
ˈfɔɫs/ /əˈɫɑɹm
FAWLS uh-LARM
fˈɒls/ /ɐlˈɑːm
FOLS uh-LAHM
Definition
An alert or warning about danger or a problem that turns out not to be real; also, when someone thinks something bad is happening, but it's not.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used for fire alarms, emergency warnings, or misunderstandings. 'False alarm' is both literal (alarm system) and figurative (any mistaken warning). Often precedes an apology for worry caused. Casual and formal contexts.
Spanish: falsa alarmaPortuguese (BR): alarme falsoPortuguese (PT): alarme falsoChinese (Simplified): 误报 - 虚惊Chinese (Traditional): 誤報 - 虛驚Hindi: झूठा अलार्म - झूठी चेतावनीArabic: إنذار كاذبBengali: মিথ্যা সতর্কতা - ভুল সংকেতRussian: ложная тревогаJapanese: 誤報 - 誤った警報Vietnamese: báo động giả - báo động nhầmKorean: 오경보 - 허위 경보Turkish: yanlış alarmUrdu: جھوٹی اطلاع - غلط الارمIndonesian: alarm palsu - peringatan palsu
Example Sentences
The fire was a false alarm – there was no danger.
basic
Sorry, it was just a false alarm.
basic
The doctor said the test result was a false alarm.
basic
I thought I lost my wallet, but it was a false alarm.
natural
We rushed outside because of the siren, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
natural
There was a false alarm at the airport so everyone had to wait.
natural