Sound the alarm

Meaning

Warn others about imminent danger or problems.

Usage

Used figuratively when raising urgent concerns.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Emergency alarms have long been used to signal peril.

Journalists and activists have sounded the alarm since at least the 19th century.