alarums and excursions: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, formal, sometimes humorous
Quick answer
What does “alarums and excursions” mean?
A state of noisy confusion, commotion, or uproar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state of noisy confusion, commotion, or uproar; a great deal of fuss and activity, often with a sense of alarm or emergency.
A phrase used to describe a situation of chaotic activity, often with a theatrical or exaggerated sense of drama and panic. It can imply both literal tumult and metaphorical bureaucratic or social frenzy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is understood in both varieties but is more likely to be encountered in British literary or journalistic contexts. In American English, it may be perceived as more esoteric or deliberately archaic.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of theatricality and somewhat contrived chaos. In British usage, it might be used with a wry, understated humour.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but marginally higher recognition in UK English due to stronger cultural ties to Shakespearean language.
Grammar
How to Use “alarums and excursions” in a Sentence
[amid/all the] alarums and excursions [of + NOUN PHRASE]The alarums and excursions [surrounding/following] + NOUN PHRASEVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alarums and excursions” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The debate soon descended into alaruming and excursing, with little substance.
American English
- The committee meeting alarumed and excursed for two hours without a vote.
adverb
British English
- The meeting proceeded alarums-and-excursions-ly, with constant interruptions.
American English
- The campaign was run alarums-and-excursions style from the very start.
adjective
British English
- The alarums-and-excursions style of the tabloid coverage was exhausting.
American English
- It was a typically alarums-and-excursions week in Washington politics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously to describe chaotic boardroom politics or a frenetic product launch.
Academic
Used in literary criticism or historical texts discussing Renaissance drama or the language of conflict.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would mark the speaker as having a very literary or affected style.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alarums and excursions”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an alarums and excursions'). It is treated as an uncountable mass noun. *'There was an alarums and excursions' is incorrect. Correct: 'There was alarums and excursions.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'alarum' is an archaic spelling of 'alarm', specifically associated with calls to arms. The phrase preserves this historical form.
It is not recommended for everyday use as it will sound very unusual and pretentious. It is primarily a literary or stylistically marked phrase.
No. It often implies exaggerated or theatrical chaos. The 'alarm' may be more about noise and fuss than genuine peril.
It is formal or literary in register. When used in modern contexts, it is often employed with a degree of irony or humour, commenting on the excessive drama of a situation.
A state of noisy confusion, commotion, or uproar.
Alarums and excursions: in British English it is pronounced /əˈlær.əmz ənd ɪkˈskɜː.ʃənz/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈlɛr.əmz ənd ɪkˈskɝː.ʒənz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sound the alarums”
- “much ado about nothing (conceptually related)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ALARM (alarum) going off in a museum, causing EXCURSIONS (trips/rushes) of panicked visitors in all directions -> noisy, chaotic movement.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBLIC DISORDER IS THEATRICAL WARFARE (The chaos of modern situations is framed as the staged battles of old plays).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'alarums and excursions' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?