idiom
canary in the coal mine
kuh-NAIR-ee in thuh KOHL MYN
kəˈnɛri ɪn ðə koʊl maɪnListen
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Syllable breakdown
canaryinthecoalmine
Dictionary meaning
An early warning sign of danger or trouble.
Examples
- Bleaching coral reefs are the canary in the coal mine for ocean health.
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