warning bells
Intuitive danger alerts
Warning bells are signals of approaching danger or trouble.
The phrase is almost always figurative: Warning bells went off when he asked for my Social Security number.
Something that sets off warning bells or rings warning bells triggers suspicion or concern.
The bells evoke alarm systems—internal alerts that something isn't right.
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- sirenWailing alert device
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- dangerExposure to harm
- danger signalIndication of threat
caution · yellow flag · klaxon · chime · toll · ringing · red flags · raised eyebrows · instinct · foreboding · ominous · bad vibes · dread · uneasy · hunch · gut feeling · inner voice · signal
- signalingsmoke signals, signal fires, signal flags, signal lamps, signal towers
- instinctsinstinct, survival instinct, survival instincts, maternal instinct, gut instinct
- Lexington and ConcordLexington, Concord, minutemen, militia, British redcoats
warning bellsall-clear
Signal danger has passed
green light · all clear signal · stand down · go-ahead · safe signal
warning bellsgood vibes
Positive emotional atmosphere
good feeling · reassurance · peace of mind · comfort · warm fuzzies