DOUBLE WHAMMY Meaning and
Definition
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The term "double whammy" is an idiomatic expression that is commonly used to describe a situation where two negative or problematic things happen simultaneously or in quick succession, intensifying the impact and consequences. It refers to a double blow or a combination of two adverse events that occur, causing an even more severe or challenging outcome than if they had occurred independently.
The first part of the phrase, "double," signifies the occurrence of two events, complications, or setbacks. The word "whammy" enhances the meaning by emphasizing that these events are powerful, impactful, or detrimental. In this context, "whammy" can be interpreted as an unfortunate or detrimental hit.
The term can be applied in various scenarios, such as personal or professional contexts. For instance, in personal relationships, a double whammy might occur when someone loses their job while simultaneously going through a breakup, resulting in financial and emotional distress. In a sports context, a team might be hit with a double whammy when their star player gets injured right before a critical game and their coach resigns, leading to a sudden loss of morale and strategic guidance.
Essentially, "double whammy" describes a situation where two negative events occur simultaneously or successively, compounding their negative effects and making the overall outcome more challenging or problematic.
Common Misspellings for DOUBLE WHAMMY
- souble whammy
- xouble whammy
- couble whammy
- fouble whammy
- rouble whammy
- eouble whammy
- diuble whammy
- dkuble whammy
- dluble whammy
- dpuble whammy
- d0uble whammy
- d9uble whammy
- doyble whammy
- dohble whammy
- dojble whammy
- doible whammy
- do8ble whammy
- do7ble whammy
- douvle whammy
- dounle whammy
Etymology of DOUBLE WHAMMY
The word "double whammy" is believed to have originated in the United States during the early 20th century. The term combines two elements:
1. Double: Derived from the Old English word "dubbel", which means "twofold" or "consisting of two parts". It later came to mean "twice as much" or "twice the amount".
2. Whammy: The origins of "whammy" are less clear. It is thought to be a combination of "wham", an onomatopoeic word imitating a hard impact or blow, and "jim-jam", a slang term for a difficult situation or predicament.
When combined, "double whammy" refers to a single event or action having a dual negative impact or producing two undesirable consequences simultaneously.
Idioms with the word DOUBLE WHAMMY
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a double whammy
The idiom "a double whammy" refers to a situation where two negative or challenging events or circumstances occur simultaneously or in quick succession, thereby amplifying the impact or difficulty.
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double whammy
A double whammy is a situation in which two negative events or situations occur simultaneously or one after the other, resulting in a particularly difficult or harmful outcome.
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