canary in a coal mine

名词 n.
中文释义

英文释义

名词 n.
  1. Something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of a greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare. idiomatic
    — "A mussel is a canary in a coal mine," Clemens explained. "When the freshwater mussels are healthy, it indicates good water quality."

词形变化

canaries in a coal mine plural canaries in coal mines plural canary in a coalmine alternative canary in the coal mine alternative canary in the coalmine alternative

词源

An allusion to caged canaries that miners would carry down into the mine tunnels with them. If dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide collected in the mine, the gases would kill the canary before killing the miners, thus providing a warning to exit the tunnels immediately.
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