alarm bell
alarm bell — 名詞
1. a bell or buzzer fitted in a building that rings loudly when there is danger, su
警鈴
發出響聲警告危險的裝置或聲響
a bell or buzzer fitted in a building that rings loudly when there is danger, such as a fire or someone entering without permission; also the sound it makes
When smoke filled the hallway, the alarm bell began ringing loudly across every floor.
當煙霧充滿走廊時，警鈴在每一層樓大聲響起。
alarm bell + ring — physical device sounding
Nadia checked the kitchen alarm bell before her trip and felt relieved when the test signal rang clearly.
Nadia 在出發前檢查了廚房警鈴，測試信號清楚響起，讓她鬆了一口氣。
The alarm bell woke everyone in the building at three o'clock that morning.
那天凌晨三點，警鈴把整棟大樓的人都吵醒了。
Owen tested the alarm bell every month to keep his family safe from fire.
Owen 每個月都會測試警鈴，確保家人免於火災危險。
- alarm
broader term — 'alarm' covers bells, buzzers, sirens, and electronic alerts
- warning bell
less common; emphasises the bell shape more than the function
- siren
a different device that produces a wailing sound, not a ringing bell
文法句型
alarm bell + verb (ring, sound)
用法筆記
In this literal sense, 'alarm bell' refers to a specific device or its sound. The related term 'alarm' is more general and can refer to any warning device or signal.
常見錯誤
2. something that acts as a signal that a situation may be dangerous or that someth
警訊
顯示事情可能出問題的信號
something that acts as a signal that a situation may be dangerous or that something is wrong and needs attention
The sudden drop in sales was an alarm bell for the company's management team.
銷售額突然下滑，對公司管理團隊來說是一個警訊。
be an alarm bell for — signalling a problem
The empty shops on the main street were an alarm bell for residents who feared job losses in their town.
主要街道上空蕩蕩的商店，對擔心鎮上工作機會減少的居民來說是一個警訊。
Ishaan saw the patient's unusual test results as an alarm bell that needed further investigation.
Ishaan 認為病患不尋常的檢驗結果是一個需要進一步調查的警訊。
The sharp rise in air pollution in Mexico City was an alarm bell for officials who had ignored cleaner energy.
墨西哥市的空氣汙染急遽上升，對忽略乾淨能源的官員來說是一個警訊。
- warning sign
more neutral and common in everyday speech
- red flag
stronger connotation — a red flag suggests something is definitely wrong, not just a possible warning
- early indicator
more formal; used in business and academic contexts
- good sign
opposite meaning — suggests things are going well rather than badly
文法句型
be an alarm bell for [someone/something]
serve as an alarm bell
用法筆記
This sense is always figurative. Unlike sense 1, no actual bell or ringing is involved — the "alarm bell" is a metaphor for a piece of evidence that warns of trouble.
常見錯誤
3. a moment when you suddenly understand or feel that a situation may have a seriou
警覺
突然意識到問題存在的時刻
a moment when you suddenly understand or feel that a situation may have a serious problem, often expressed with the phrases 'alarm bells ring' or 'alarm bells go off'
Alarm bells started ringing in Eli's head when he saw smoke coming from the engine.
Eli 看到引擎冒出煙霧時，腦中頓時警鈴大作。
alarm bells start ringing (in someone's head) — sudden realization
When Charlotte found the office door unlocked, alarm bells went off in her mind.
Charlotte 發現辦公室門沒鎖時，心裡立刻警覺起來。
Alarm bells rang for the doctor when she saw the child's fever and stiff neck.
醫生看到孩子發燒且脖子僵硬時，腦中的警鈴響了。
When Kasia heard the door slam in the wind, alarm bells went off in her head.
Kasia 聽到風吹得門砰然關上時，腦中頓時警鈴大作。
- warning signal
similar but less vivid; describes the cue rather than the moment of realization
- wake-up call
stronger — implies a need for immediate action, not just realization
文法句型
alarm bells start ringing
alarm bells go off (in someone's mind/head)
用法筆記
Nearly always appears in the plural 'alarm bells' with a verb of sounding ('ring', 'go off', 'sound'). The 'in someone's head/mind' phrase is common but optional. Distinguish from sense 4 (cause for worry): sense 3 is the internal experience of realization, while sense 4 is the external thing that triggers that realization.
常見錯誤
4. a specific piece of information, an event, or a change in conditions that active
警兆
引發擔憂的危險徵兆
a specific piece of information, an event, or a change in conditions that actively makes people worried because it points to a possible problem
The recent earthquakes in the region should set alarm bells ringing for local officials.
該地區近期的地震應該讓當地官員拉響警鐘。
set alarm bells ringing — something triggers worry
The student's sudden drop in grades set alarm bells ringing for her teachers.
那名學生成績突然下滑，讓她的老師們拉響了警鐘。
Rising food prices have set alarm bells ringing for families with low incomes.
糧食價格上漲，讓收入微薄的家庭拉響了警鐘。
Cyrus's frequent headaches after school set alarm bells ringing for his parents, who immediately scheduled a doctor's appointment.
Cyrus 放學後頻繁頭痛的情況，讓他的父母敲響了警鐘，隨即預約了醫生。
- cause for concern
more formal; describes the emotional effect rather than using the bell metaphor
- red flag
similar figurative strength; used more for individual suspicious items than for broad situations
文法句型
set alarm bells ringing
should cause alarm bells to ring
用法筆記
The trigger is always an external event or piece of information (e.g. statistics, behaviour, a news report). Distinguish from sense 3 (moment of realization): sense 4 focuses on the external thing that causes worry, while sense 3 focuses on the internal experience of realizing something is wrong.
常見錯誤
5. the act of raising a public warning so that others become aware of a threat or a
警醒
主動對他人發出危險警告的行為
the act of raising a public warning so that others become aware of a threat or an urgent issue that needs attention
Climate scientists have been sounding alarm bells about rising sea levels for many years.
多年來，氣候科學家一直在就海平面上升敲響警鐘。
sound alarm bells about — publicly warning others
In her report, Lucía rang alarm bells about the lack of safety gear at the factory.
Lucía 在報告中就工廠缺乏安全裝備一事敲響警鐘，警醒相關單位。
Health experts at the Seoul children's hospital have been ringing alarm bells over the dangers of sugary drinks for kids.
首爾兒童醫院的健康專家一直在就含糖飲料對兒童的危害敲響警鐘。
Arjun has been sounding alarm bells about the poor road conditions in his village.
Arjun 幾個月來一直在警醒大家注意村裡糟糕的道路狀況。
- raise the alarm
similar meaning but not limited to the bell metaphor; can be used for any type of alert
- issue a warning
more formal and direct; lacks the urgency implied by 'alarm bells'
- flag up
informal British English; suggests bringing something to attention rather than warning of danger
文法句型
sound/ring alarm bells (about/over something)
用法筆記
This sense is about the deliberate act of raising an alert, not the alert itself. The subject is typically a person or organization actively warning others. Distinguish from sense 2 (warning sign): sense 5 is an action someone takes, while sense 2 is the evidence or signal itself.