alarm bell
7
2.2
- noun
- /əˈlɑrm bɛl/
:
campana de alarma
- As the storm approached, the alarm bell signaled that it was time to take shelter.
- alarm bell rings
- set off alarm bells
- alarm bell sounded
Now there should always be one or two when the alarm bell goes off, staying on that wing.
- Now there should always be one or two when the alarm bell goes off, staying on that wing.
Examples
-
The alarm bells woke up the minister of the interior.
-
After a couple of seconds, an alarm bell began to ring.
Fiction book (1991) -
The alarm bell has been activated!
-
Just then, the alarm bells rang.
Fiction book (1991) -
At the same instant, an alarm bell began ringing loudly in the distance.
Fiction book (1993) -
A brief examination of the facts is enough to set alarm bells ringing in most intelligent people.
Blog text (11) -
Consider Russia, where new anti-NGO legislation is ringing alarm bells at home and abroad.
Blog text (34) -
Early in the 1990s, the alarm bell began sounding on the tidal wave of threats facing tropical forests globally.
Academic text (2012) -
When the fire started, the alarm bell rang loudly to warn everyone to evacuate the building.
-
The sudden loud noise from the alarm bell made everyone realize there was an emergency.
Synonyms
842
1.0
A device that makes a loud sound to warn or wake people
297
2.8
A warning that something dangerous or important may happen
259
2.9
A machine that makes a loud wailing sound to warn people
183
1.0
A device that makes a loud sound to warn or signal people
104
1.0
A small machine that makes a low, repeating sound to tell people something
5
3.2
A loud sound or flashing light that tells people there is danger
1
2.7
A bell that rings to warn people of danger
A bell or loud sound that warns people of danger
A bell that rings when electricity makes a magnet move
How Loud
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a bell that rings to warn people or signal an emergency' is directly derivable from combining 'alarm' (a signaling device that warns) with 'bell' (a hollow object that rings). This noun+noun composition is literal and follows a common cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
Alarm bell comes from the clear image of a loud bell used as an alarm to warn people when there is danger. When the bell rang, everyone knew to act or leave, so today alarm bell means a bell or signal 'to warn' people of an emergency.