What does “Double whammy” mean?
"Double whammy" means a situation where two negative things happen at the same time or in quick succession.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I lost my job and my car broke down on the same day, it was a double whammy.
Example
Not only did I fail the test, but I also got a parking ticket on the way home, talk about a double whammy.
Example
First, I got caught in the rain, and then I realized I left my wallet at home, what a double whammy
Is “Double whammy” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Double whammy” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Double whammy” effectively in context?
You can use "Double Whammy" to describe a situation where two negative things happen at the same time or in quick succession. It emphasizes the impact and unfortunate nature of the events. For example, if a friend tells you they lost their job and their car broke down on the same day, you might say, 'That's a double whammy!' to express sympathy and acknowledge the difficulty of the situation.
- 1Bad Luck
I lost my job and my car broke down on the same day, it was a double whammy.
- 2Unfortunate Events
Not only did I fail the test, but I also got a parking ticket on the way home, talk about a double whammy.
- 3Misfortune
First, I got caught in the rain, and then I realized I left my wallet at home, what a double whammy.
Similar phrases to “Double whammy”:
One-two punch
A combination of two powerful or damaging things happening in quick succession
Example
First, she lost her job, and then her house burned down, it was a one-two punch.
Back-to-back blows
A series of consecutive negative events or setbacks
Example
He failed the exam, got into a car accident, and then his laptop crashed, it was back-to-back blows.
Double trouble
A situation where two problems or difficulties arise simultaneously
Example
They both got sick and their car broke down on the way to the airport, it was double trouble.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Double whammy” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Double Whammy" is unknown.
Is “Double whammy” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Double Whammy" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where multiple negative events occur simultaneously or in quick succession.
What tone does “Double whammy” have?
"Double Whammy" conveys a tone of surprise and empathy. It's often used to sympathize with someone who is experiencing a string of unfortunate events.
Can “Double whammy” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "double whammy" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a specific type of unfortunate situation. You can use it in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Losing my job and my car breaking down on the same day was a double whammy.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'What a double whammy!' to express surprise and empathy.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- dual setback
- consecutive misfortune
- simultaneous disaster
- twin calamity
- pair of unfortunate events
Antonyms
- stroke of luck
- fortunate coincidence
- lucky break
- positive turn of events
