成语是掌握外语的难关之一。成语中往往蕴含历史和文化，因此如果仅从表面字词意思去理解，有时不得其解，成语也会经常出现在日常口语中。

最近，约翰·克里国务卿将一份新发布的关于气候变化危险日益加剧的报告称为”canary in the coal mine”（矿井中的金丝雀）。这是什么意思？

矿井中的金丝雀

定义 某人/某物是危险将至的预警标志。

例句

• We have a strict new teacher, and many of us want to ask for extra help. We don’t know how she will react, so we sent Jim to ask. He’s like a canary in a coal mine.（我们新来了一位严格的老师，很多同学想要求得到更多辅导，但不知她会怎样回应。所以我们让吉姆去问，他就像矿井中的金丝雀。）

• The melting glacier is a canary in the coal mine for global warming. （冰川融化是全球变暖的警告标志。）

历史

煤矿工人过去带着金丝雀下井。这种鸟对危险气体的敏感度超过人。如果金丝雀死了，矿工便知道井下有危险气体，需要撤离。

克里国务卿用这个成语说明，新发布的报告是对如果不采取措施减少或制止气候变暖将带来的危险的警告。他在此使用“矿井中的金丝雀”这个表达方式格外贴切，因为煤是化石燃料，燃烧后产生会加剧地球变暖的温室气体。美国正在为应对气候变化发挥带头作用。而你也可以作出很大贡献。

Understanding idioms is one of the hardest parts of mastering a language. An idiom is a group of words that together assume a new and different meaning. Native speakers frequently use them in everyday conversations but idioms can confuse students who are not yet fluent.

Secretary of State John Kerry recently called a new report about the growing danger of climate change a “canary in the coal mine.” What does that idiom mean?

Canary in the coal mine

Meaning
Someone/something that is an early warning of danger.

Examples

• We have a strict new teacher, and many of us want to ask for extra help. We don’t know how she will react, so we sent Jim to ask. He’s like a canary in a coal mine.

• The melting glacier is a canary in the coal mine for global warming.

State Department/Doug Thompson

History
Coal miners used to take canaries into coal mines with them. Canaries are more sensitive to dangerous gases than humans are. If the canary died, the miners knew there were dangerous gases present and would leave the mine.

When he used the idiom, Kerry meant that the new report warns of danger if steps are not taken to reduce or halt climate change. His use of the phrase “canary in the coal mine” is especially apt because coal is a fossil fuel, which, when burned, produces greenhouse gases that can contribute to the Earth’s warming.The U.S. takes a leading role in combating climate change. And there’s a lot you can do to help.