false alarm
The term "false alarm" is widely used to describe situations where an alert or warning turns out to be unnecessary or incorrect.
Definition
B2General
(common)An alert or signal that causes unnecessary concern or action because it is incorrect.
Example
- The fire alarm went off, but it was just a false alarm.
C1Emergency Services
(technical)An alarm that diverts emergency responders from real emergencies because it indicates a danger that does not exist.
Example
- The firefighters rushed to the scene, only to find it was a false alarm.
C1Signal Detection
(technical, academic)An incorrect detection of a signal or event, leading to unnecessary actions.
Example
- The system registered a false alarm, causing the team to investigate a non-existent issue.
B2Idiomatic
(figurative)A situation that initially causes concern but is later found to be harmless.
Example
- The loud noise turned out to be a false alarm; there was nothing to worry about.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "false alarm":
false positivefire alarmalarm bellfalse flaggedfalse firefalse negativefalse stepwarning bellfalse loanfalse flagfire alarm hornburglar alarmfalse scent