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

There have been a couple of false alarms but the most recent check suggests my tumour is stable.

From BBC

Several Air India planes have been affected by these seemingly malicious false alarms.

From BBC

Mistaking a false alarm for a nuclear-missile attack becomes more likely amid the stresses, fatigue and paranoia that come with the protracted war in Ukraine and extending war into Russia.

From Salon

“The Haitian community is suffering in fear because of Trump and Vance’s relentless, irresponsible, false alarms and public services have been disrupted,” Chandra said in a statement.

From Salon

Possessing such potentially world-ending systems only increases the possibility of an unintended nuclear conflict prompted by a false alarm.

From Salon