Emergencies · Health
raise the alarm
warn people urgently
To raise the alarm means to warn people that there is danger or an emergency.
This vs that
The security guard raised the alarm.
The neighbour called for help.
Hear it in real life
What happened at the station?
Someone raised the alarm after spotting a fire near the ticket machines.
A passer-by raised the alarm when he saw smoke coming from the flat.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
People normally use this compact phrase when warning others about an emergency.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: We need to raise ‸ alarm.
Say: We need to raise the alarm.
Use 'the' before 'alarm' in this fixed phrase.
Say it together
Whole chunks natives use with it.
raise the alarm when ___
Raise the alarm when you see smoke or flames.
The receptionist raised the alarm when the smell of gas got stronger.
Phrases to borrow
More for talking about emergencies.
call for help
Call for help if anyone is trapped inside.
get to safety
Everyone managed to get to safety.
Emergencies words
Health · Emergencies: the words around “raise the alarm”.
More connectionsMore emergencies words8
Your turn: say it out loud
I raised the alarm as soon as I saw the smoke.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
raise the alarm
warn people urgently
“A passer-by raised the alarm when he saw smoke coming from the flat.”
heytardy