canary in a coal mine

短语

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词形变化

canaries in a coal mine 复数 canaries in a coal mine canaries in coal mines canaries in coal mines 复数

别名

canary in the coalmine canary in a coalmine canary in the coal mine

释义与例句

n.
  1. 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.

    习语

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.

来源：wiktionary