all-clear

IPA/ði ˌɔːl ˈklɪə(r)/
IPA/ði ˌɔːl ˈklɪr/

all-clear — noun

1. The sound, siren, or spoken message that marks the end of a dangerous event such

1.名詞B2
釋義

The sound, siren, or spoken message that marks the end of a dangerous event such as an air raid, a bomb threat, or a severe storm, letting people know it is safe to resume normal activity.

例句

After the air-raid siren stopped, the fire chief sounded the all-clear.

sound the all-clear

Valentina heard the all-clear on her radio and finally left the basement shelter.

同義詞
  • all-clear signal

    longer form, more explicit but same meaning

  • OK

    informal; used in everyday speech for any kind of clearance

  • green light

    metaphorical; implies permission to start rather than end of danger

反義詞
  • warning

    opposite function — signals danger beginning

  • red alert

    most urgent danger signal, opposite of danger being over

文法句型

the all-clear

sound the all-clear

give the all-clear

用法筆記

Almost always used with the definite article: 'the all-clear.' This sense originally referred to the sound of a siren or bell that marked the end of an air raid during wartime.

常見錯誤

❌The building was all-clear after the fire drill.
✅The building was given the all-clear after the fire drill.
💡'All-clear' is a noun, not an adjective; pair it with 'give,' 'sound,' or 'announce.'

2. Permission from an authority to begin, continue, or proceed with a plan, activit

2.名詞B2
釋義

Permission from an authority to begin, continue, or proceed with a plan, activity, or project after an obstacle, delay, or restriction has been lifted.

例句

The hospital received the all-clear from the health inspector to reopen its emergency room.

receive the all-clear from [authority]

Mira's doctor checked her test results and gave her the all-clear to fly again.

同義詞
  • green light

    informal; interchangeable in most contexts

  • go-ahead

    informal; common in everyday work situations

  • clearance

    more formal; used in security, aviation, or medical settings

反義詞
  • red light

    signals stop or no permission

  • ban

    outright prohibition, stronger than denial

文法句型

give (sb) the all-clear to do sth

get the all-clear for sth

receive the all-clear from [authority]

用法筆記

Subject is usually an authority or institution (a doctor, inspector, council, manager). Frequently used in the pattern 'give/get/receive the all-clear for something' or 'to do something.'

常見錯誤

❌I got all-clear from my boss to start the project.
✅I got the all-clear from my boss to start the project.
💡'All-clear' always takes the definite article 'the.'
❌The manager cleared the project and gave all-clear.
✅The manager cleared the project and gave the all-clear.
💡Missing 'the' before 'all-clear.'