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Glite Dictionary
to ring a warning bell

to ring a warning bell

1 5.4
Make someone think there may be a problem
  • idiom
  • Informal
: dar la voz de alarma
  • The sudden drop in profits rang a warning bell for the company's investors.

Examples

  • When I noticed the outdated fire equipment, it rang a warning bell in my mind.

  • The sudden drop in sales rang a warning bell for the management.

  • The surgeon's hesitation rang a warning bell for the patient.

  • Don't you think this situation should ring a warning bell?

  • The sudden drop in profits rang a warning bell for the company's investors.

  • The surgeon's hesitation rang a warning bell for the patient.

  • When I noticed the outdated fire equipment, it rang a warning bell in my mind.

Synonyms

to warn
vsto ring a warning bell
∞ 1.0

Tell someone about possible danger so they can be careful

causes a feeling of doubt or concern rather than clear advice
to alert
vsto ring a warning bell
242 2.3

To warn someone about a possible danger or problem

causes internal concern or suspicion instead of direct instruction
to caution
vsto ring a warning bell
86 3.0

To warn someone about danger or problems

raises suspicion or worry rather than giving safety advice
to alarm
vsto ring a warning bell
47 1.9

To make someone feel afraid or worried about possible danger

causes milder concern or suspicion rather than strong fear
to raise red flag
vsto ring a warning bell
15 4.6

To signal that there may be a problem or danger

causes someone to feel concern or suspect privately
to forewarn
vsto ring a warning bell
12 4.8

Tell someone about possible danger before it happens

causes vague concern or suspicion rather than timed advance notice
to raise the spectre
vsto ring a warning bell
  • UK
6 7.7

To say that something bad might happen

makes someone suspect a problem rather than giving direct notice
to prewarn
vsto ring a warning bell
1 4.2

To tell people about a possible danger before it happens

elicits suspicion and worry instead of supplying prior notice
to sound a warning bell
vsto ring a warning bell
1 4.3

To warn people about a possible danger or serious problem

triggers personal concern or suspicion instead of formal public notice

Antonyms

calm
680 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

to reassure
123 3.4

To make someone feel less worried and more confident

How Alarming

to ring a warning bell
  • Informal
1 5.4

Surface Forms

ring a warning bell infinitive
ringing a warning bell present participle
rings a warning bell third person singular
rang a warning bell past
rung a warning bell past participle

Morphology

ring + a + warning + bell

The phrase can be directly inferred from the constituents: a 'warning bell' is a device that signals danger and 'ring' means to make it sound, so 'ring a warning bell' straightforwardly means to cause alarm or concern. This composition follows a common, cross-linguistic metaphor (an alarm signaling danger), so a B1 learner who knows the component words would very likely infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The phrase ring a warning bell comes from the image of a bell that people would ring to warn others about danger, so everyone would pay attention. So, when something rings a warning bell, it makes you 'feel concern' or 'suspect there may be a problem'.