alarm bells
Mental red flags
Alarm bells are warnings that something is wrong.
The phrase almost always appears figuratively: His evasive answers set off alarm bells.
When alarm bells ring or go off, you sense danger or trouble ahead.
The image comes from literal warning bells—fire alarms, burglar alarms—but the phrase now lives almost entirely in the metaphorical realm.
Wailing alert device
- klaxonElectric warning horn
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- red flagIndicator of danger
wake-up call · harbinger · portent · omen · indicator · sign · symptom · precursor
Serious threat of harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
- riskPossibility of harm
jeopardy · crisis · emergency · disaster · catastrophe · pitfall · trap · minefield
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- worryTroubled mental state
apprehension · trepidation · nervousness · concern · foreboding · misgiving · disquiet · angst
Active mental awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
- warinessCautious distrust
- cautionCareful attention to risk
heedfulness · attention · scrutiny · suspicion · circumspection · guard · on edge · keeping watch
Action taken during emergencies
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- swift responseFast reaction to stimulus
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- scrambleMix into disorder
pressing matter · all hands on deck · code red · rapid response
siren
Wailing alert device
red flag · wake-up call · harbinger · portent · omen · indicator · sign · symptom · precursor · foreshadowing
peril
Serious threat of harm
risk · jeopardy · crisis · emergency · disaster · catastrophe · pitfall · trap · minefield · warning sign
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
worry · apprehension · trepidation · nervousness · concern · foreboding · misgiving · disquiet · angst · distress
alertness
Active mental awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
- warinessCautious distrust
caution · heedfulness · attention · scrutiny · suspicion · circumspection · guard · on edge · keeping watch · staying alert
crisis response
Action taken during emergencies
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- swift responseFast reaction to stimulus
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
pressing matter · scramble · all hands on deck · code red · rapid response
- fire safetyfire drill, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire drills, evacuation plan
- security systemsfirewall, antivirus, security systems, security guard, home security
- signalingsmoke signals, signal fires, signal flags, signal lamps, signal towers
- castle defensemoat, drawbridge, portcullis, arrow slits, battlements
- firefightingfire station, fire truck, fire engine, firefighter, firefighters
- gut feelingsgut feeling, gut instinct, gut reaction, hunch, instinct
alarm bellsreassurance
Words meant to calm
all-clear · green light · seal of approval · thumbs up · clean bill of health
alarm bellscomfort
Ease or soothing relief
warm fuzzies · contentment · serenity · tranquility · relief
alarm bellslullaby
Soothing song for babies
white noise · soothing sounds · silence · tranquility · stillness
alarm, bell, bells, alarmed, alarming, alarms, bellicose, alarmingly, unalarmed