"Alarming words" refers to deliberately saying exaggerated or frightening things to shock or scare listeners. In this idiom, "alarming words" means words that surprise or frighten people, and "shock the listeners" means to astonish those who hear them. The idiom originates from The Analects: Xian Wen, in the line "When the state is governed by the Way, speak and act uprightly; when the state is not governed by the Way, act uprightly but speak cautiously," where it originally meant upright speech, but later its meaning shifted to deliberately exaggerating in order to intimidate others. In terms of usage, it is mostly used to criticize remarks that exaggerate facts in order to attract attention, create panic, or achieve some purpose. In emotional coloring, it carries a clearly derogatory sense, emphasizing that the speaker lacks factual basis and deliberately plays up danger or negative consequences. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian emphasis on proper speech and conduct and its opposition to excessively extreme rhetoric. In modern society, this idiom is often used in news commentary, public discussion, or daily communication to remind people to judge information rationally and not be swayed by exaggerated words.
📝 Example
1. He always likes to make alarmist remarks, saying the stock market is about to crash, but it turned out to be only a minor adjustment. (Refers to deliberately exaggerating facts to create panic.)
2. Regarding climate change, scientists call for action, but they should not make alarmist remarks; instead, they should speak based on data. (Refers to exaggerating problems with frightening rhetoric.)