Words, Phrases and Concepts, Grammar

A “canary in the coal mine” is an early warning sign of danger or failure, originating from the 20th-century mining practice of using caged birds to detect lethal, odorless gases like carbon monoxide before they affected miners. It signifies a sensitive indicator that signals impending, larger-scale trouble. Cambridge Dictionary +3 According to America.gov, miners once brought canaries into coal mines because … Read more

“The elephant in the room” is a metaphor for an obvious, large, or significant problem, controversy, or taboo subject that everyone is aware of but chooses to ignore or avoid discussing. It refers to issues that are uncomfortable, embarrassing, or cause tension, such as a major budget crisis, a personal dispute, or a firing. [1, … Read more