danger signal
- noun
- /ˈdeɪndʒər ˈsɪɡnəl/
- The sudden drop in sales is a danger signal that the company needs to address.
Intense and fast relationships are often danger signals that distract you from the abuse that inevitably lurks ahead.
- Intense and fast relationships are often danger signals that distract you from the abuse that inevitably lurks ahead.
- I said, oh shit, because that was the danger signal.
Examples
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Ignoring persistent pain is a danger signal that should never be overlooked.
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You catch a danger signal.
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9% returns, when the economy was growing at a much slower rate, were a sure danger signal.
Blog text (32) -
Indeed, Nora saw real danger signals.
Fiction book (1994) -
This would normally be sending off danger signals for me, but I just don't.
Blog text (3) -
She focused on danger signals and her discounting mechanism forgot the good stuff in her life.
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If you build in forecasting facilities and a willingness to watch for danger signals and a flexibility that allows for changes and redesign, then you can go a long way toward shortening those delays that make it so hard to steer.
Academic text (1991) -
In the circulation, neutrophils patrol tissues and initiate aggressive responses upon encountering danger signals (sterile or triggered by microbes).
Academic text (2016) -
They told us there were 80 suicides a day in America… - …30,000 a year… - Cheese! …and alerted us to danger signals we couldn't help but look for.
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Frequent mood swings can be a danger signal that something is wrong emotionally.
Synonyms
An event that shows something is happening or will happen
A warning that something dangerous or important may happen
A sign that shows a problem or danger in a situation
Something that shows there may be danger or a problem
A strong warning that serious danger is coming and people must act now
A clear sign that something bad will happen
A sign that something important, often bad, will happen
A light that turns on in vehicles or machines to show a problem
A loud sound or flashing light that tells people there is danger
A sign or notice that something bad will happen
A quiet signal to warn, greet, or recognize someone
A warning that something is wrong and you should stop or be careful
A tool that makes a loud sound or bright light to tell people there is danger
A sign that tells people about a possible problem
Giving a sign or message that tells people about danger
To show that something will happen, often as a warning of bad events
A sound that seems to warn that trouble is coming
An advance notice that tells people about a possible danger
A sign that something important will happen soon
How Urgent
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a sign or warning that something harmful may occur' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'danger' (risk of harm) with 'signal' (a cue or warning). This is a straightforward noun+noun composition following common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The phrase danger signal comes from the simple image of a warning sign, like a red flag, a bell, or a flashing light that acts as a signal showing danger. So, when we use danger signal today, we mean 'a sign' or 'a warning' that something 'risky' may happen.