set off alarm bells

To cause concern due to being an indication that there is something wrong. The new report set off alarm bells among the board members because it forecasts a large decrease in enrollment. If your date asks you to meet in a secluded place, it should set off alarm bells.

See also: alarm, bell, off, set

See also:

set alarm bells ringing
alarm bells start to ring
alarm bells start ringing
set off a false alarm
bell
raise the alarm
sound the alarm
alarm
alarm bell
bring (one) up with a start

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