warning bell
1
3.5
- noun
- So her complaints as warning bells every time she's nagging, every time she's complaining, try to take it at the deeper layer instead of the surface layer.
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Watch on YouTubeThat was a big warning bell for me with Mark and Andy.
- That was a big warning bell for me with Mark and Andy.
Examples
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In particular, Alex asked for my opinion about the accuracy of the information posted at MormonThink.com, a website that claims to offer "an objective look at Mormons and Mormonism" (that description alone ought to set off warning bells).
Blog text (13) -
The warning bell rings as we walk up the front steps of the school.
Blog text (13) -
That was a big warning bell for me with Mark and Andy.
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As a long-time Amethyst fan, this raised warning bells:
Blog text (19) -
The professor's lecture served as a warning bell about the dangers of climate change.
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When the stock market dropped significantly, it rang a warning bell for investors.
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Her sudden illness acted as a warning bell for the family to address their health issues.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A statement or sign that tells people about danger before it happens
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
104
1.0
A small machine that makes a low, repeating sound to tell people something
89
1.0
A device that makes a sound to get someone's attention
54
1.6
Something that shows there may be danger or a problem
7
2.2
A bell that rings to warn people of danger or an emergency
7
3.2
A light that turns on in vehicles or machines to show a problem
5
3.2
A loud sound or flashing light that tells people there is danger
1
3.7
A tool that makes a loud sound or bright light to tell people there is danger
1
3.7
A sign that something dangerous may happen
A bell or loud sound that warns people of danger
A short bell sound on a phone or app that signals a message
Antonyms
How Urgent
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an event or signal that alerts people to a potential problem' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'warning' (a message alerting to danger) with 'bell' (a signaling device). This is a straightforward compositional noun-noun combination following common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Warning bell is used for any early sign of trouble. Imagine a bell that rings to get people's attention before something bad happens; that's why a 'warning bell' now means an event or signal that tells you to check for a possible 'problem'.