How to Pronounce "canary in a coal mine"
expression
kuh-NAIR-ee in uh KOHL mine
kuh-NAIR-ee in uh KOHL mine
Definition
A 'canary in a coal mine' is someone or something that acts as an early warning of danger or problems, often before others notice them.
IPA Transcription
American English
kəˈnɛɹi/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈkoʊɫ/ /ˈmaɪn
British English
kənˈeəɹi/ /ˈɪn/ /æɪ/ /kˈəʊl/ /mˈaɪn
Simplified Pronunciation
US
kuh-NAIR-ee in uh KOHL mine
UK
kuh-NAIR-ee in uh KOHL mine
Listen in Context
The first signs of disease were the canary in a coal mine for the doctors.
Falling fish populations can be a canary in a coal mine for pollution.
The slow sales acted as a canary in a coal mine for the new product.
Young people leaving town is the canary in a coal mine for the local economy.