canary in the coal mine
kah-NAIR-ee in the KOHL MYN
kəˈnɛriː ɪn ðə koʊl maɪnListen
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Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
an early warning sign of danger or trouble ahead; in environmental discourse, species that are first affected by climate change, pollution, or habitat loss serve as canaries in the coal mine for broader ecosystem collapse
History and origin
English — from the historical practice of miners carrying canaries into coal mines as early warning detectors of toxic gases; if the canary died, miners knew to evacuate; used metaphorically from the early 20th century
Examples
- Amphibians are the canary in the coal mine for environmental health — their decline signals ecosystem stress.
- Arctic ice loss is the canary in the coal mine for global climate tipping points.
Pronunciation tips
The idiom always implies that the 'canary' is more vulnerable and signals danger for others that follow. In ecology, sensitive species serve this role.
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