Without warning is a phrase that describes something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "without" is pronounced /wɪðˈaʊt/, while "warning" is pronounced /ˈwɔːrnɪŋ/. The /w/ sound at the beginning of "without" is followed by an /ɪ/ sound, then a /ð/ sound, which is made by putting the tongue between the teeth and blowing air while vibrating the vocal cords. The /aʊ/ sound is created by rounding the lips and making an "ow" sound, and the /t/ at the end of "without" is pronounced with a short, sharp burst of air. The word "warning" is pronounced with a stressed /w/ sound, followed by an /ɔː/ sound, which is a longer version of the "aw" sound, and
Without warning means suddenly and unexpectedly, without any prior indication or notice. It refers to a situation or event that occurs abruptly, catching someone off-guard and leaving them unprepared or surprised. When something happens without warning, there is no advance information or cue given to suggest that it was about to occur.
This phrase can be used in various contexts to describe different scenarios. For example, in the context of natural disasters, it refers to events such as earthquakes, tornadoes, or floods that strike suddenly without any preceding signs or signals. These calamities can cause significant damage and pose a threat to individuals and their property.
Without warning can also describe sudden actions or behaviors of people. For instance, someone might lash out or become aggressive without warning, catching others by surprise. Alternately, it can refer to unexpected developments or changes in a situation, such as an unexpected turn of events in a story or an unforeseen consequence of an action.
Overall, without warning denotes a lack of anticipation or foresight. It emphasizes the element of surprise, indicating that something occurred suddenly and unexpectedly without any indication or preparation beforehand.
The word without originated in Old English as wiðutan, which combined the elements wið (meaning against, opposite) and utan (meaning outside). Over time, it evolved into without.
The etymology of warning can be traced back to the Old English verb warnian, meaning to take heed, guard against. It is derived from the Old High German word warnon, which has similar meanings. The noun form warning entered the English language around the 15th century.
When combined, without warning essentially means lacking a cautionary notification or advice.