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whammy

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double whammy

A situation in which two negative things happen at the same time or in rapid succession. Jack suffered a double whammy when his car broke down the same day he lost his job.

See also: double, whammy

put the whammy on

To curse someone. A "whammy" is an evil spell typically bestowed upon one's enemies. I think my ex-girlfriend put the whammy on me or something because I can't get a date anymore. My favorite team is playing for the championship, so I put the whammy on their opponents.

See also: on, put, whammy

a double whammy

  (informal)

a situation where two bad things happen at the same time Critics claim that the cuts in public spending coupled with a pay freeze is a double whammy which will affect low-paid workers badly.

See also: double, whammy

double whammy

(ˈdəblæ ˈʍæmi)

n. a double portion of something, especially something troublesome. (From Li’l Abner, a comic strip by Al Capp.) This morning was bad, but this afternoon the boss gave us a double whammy.

See also: double, whammy

triple whammy

(ˈtrɪplæ ˈʍæmi)

n. a powerful treatment; a powerful shock. The market crash, the trade figures, and the death of the secretary of defense was a powerful triple whammy in Washington politics this week.

See also: triple, whammy