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false alarm
WIKTIONARY
false alarm
Noun
  • A warning sound (such as the call of sentry, the ringing of a bell, or the shriek of a siren) which turns out to have been erroneous. literally
  • A thing or occurrence which initially causes fear, distress, etc. but which is subsequently recognized as being no cause for concern. idiomatic, by extension
  • A person who pretends to be more accomplished or a thing that seems to be of higher quality than is later found to be the case. archaic, idiomatic