Canary in the coal mine

noun

Definitions

1.nounSomething whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare.

Synonyms

miner's canary coalmine cat that swallowed the canary candle coal canal coal goldmine fox guarding the henhouse sea-coal corve sea coal cairngorum claypit

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