He's like a canary in a coal mine...

[Kati Svaby]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #315 "English Slang Idioms (36)", question 8

"I love that guy. He's like a ......... in a coal mine: he can spot trouble coming in the market from a mile away," the manager said.

(a) shovel
(b) wind
(c) canary
(d) genie

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #315 "English Slang Idioms (36)", answer 8

"I love that guy. He's like a canary in a coal mine: he can spot trouble coming in the market from a mile away," the manager said.

Correct answer: (c) canary
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The canary means an informer to the others. Doesn't it ? It picks out one person or thing from many.
so: He is like a canary in a coal mine: he can spot trouble coming in the market from mile away,
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We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Beeesneees]

Before the introduction of gas detector safety equipment in coal mines, a caged canary would be taken down into the shaft with the miners. If there was any escaping gas, the bird would be affected before the men because canaries are very sensitive to the gases methane and carbon dioxide. As long as the canary kept on singing, the men were safe. If the bird stopped singing, it was having breathing difficulties because of the gas. A swaying/unconscious/dead canary indicated that the shaft should be immediately evacuated.

The phrase living like a canary in a coal mine often refers to serving as a warning to others.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Kati Svaby]

Hello B.Z.

It's a very moving story. Believe me that I heard about it but now I can't think of it and I forgot also. I am sorry. This is a true story. Sometimes the dictionaries can be mistaken.
Thanks !!!
Kati
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We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Maliavkina]

Hello B.Z. And what about "whistle-blower"?Is it a synonym to "a canary in a coal mine"? Or does it depends upon a situation? Could I call Mr.Julian Assange "a canary in a coal mine"? Thanks in advance. Maliavkina

[Beeesneees]

Hello Maliavkina,

The two terms are not the same.
A canary in a coal mine provides a warning to others.
A whistle blower is a person who informs on someone engaged in an illicit activity.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Maliavkina]

Hello,B.Z. Thanks for quick respond. So "a man who kicked the hornet's nest" can't be called "a canary in coal mine". Maliavkina

[Beeesneees]

They aren't the same things, no.

I also believe you mean 'the man who stirred up the hornet's nest'.
If you 'stir up a hornet's nest' you cause a commotion by creating trouble which is likely to lead to criticism of the matter.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Maliavkina]

Hello B.Z.Thanks for your comment. "The man who kicked the hornet's nest" is from Quardian. Best regards Maliavkina. P.S.But as for Mr.Assange ,he is certainly not a canary...