double whammy
Two blows together
A double whammy is two setbacks or misfortunes striking at once, compounding their effect: The economy suffered a double whammy of rising inflation and falling wages.
The phrase suggests bad luck or difficulty multiplied rather than merely added.
A triple whammy extends the pattern.
Sequential paired attack
- two-prongedHaving two projections
- tandemSequential two-person arrangement
- twofoldConsisting of two parts
- combinedMerged into one
back-to-back · compounded · paired · simultaneous · consecutive · successive · coinciding · overlapping
Adverse circumstance or event
- reversalComplete change of direction
- blowMove air forcefully
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
complication · difficulty · drawback · impediment · stumbling block · hurdle · pitfall · snag
Unfavorable chance events
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- curseInvoked harm through words
- perfect stormRare convergence of worsening factors
- worst-case scenarioMost unfavorable possible outcome
Murphy's Law · raw deal · tough break · rough patch · tight spot · pickle · jam · bind
Result of an action
- effectResult of a cause
- aftermathResults following an event
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
damage · harm · shock · jolt · blow · toll · burden · strain
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
- twistRotating motion or surprise
bolt from the blue · blindside · sucker punch · unforeseen · out of nowhere · sudden · unanticipated · rude awakening
one-two punch
Sequential paired attack
- two-prongedHaving two projections
- tandemSequential two-person arrangement
- twofoldConsisting of two parts
combined · back-to-back · compounded · paired · simultaneous · consecutive · successive · coinciding · overlapping · multiplicative
misfortune
Adverse circumstance or event
hindrance · complication · difficulty · drawback · impediment · stumbling block · hurdle · pitfall · snag · defeat
bad luck
Unfavorable chance events
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- curseInvoked harm through words
- perfect stormRare convergence of worsening factors
worst-case scenario · Murphy's Law · raw deal · tough break · rough patch · tight spot · pickle · jam · bind · hole
consequence
Result of an action
- effectResult of a cause
- aftermathResults following an event
- repercussionIndirect result of action
fallout · damage · harm · shock · jolt · blow · toll · burden · strain · devastation
surprise
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
twist · bolt from the blue · blindside · sucker punch · unforeseen · out of nowhere · sudden · unanticipated · rude awakening
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
- adding insult to injuryrub it in, twist the knife, make it worse, aggravate, worsen
- pairspair, pairs, two, duo, duos
double whammysilver lining
Consolation within misfortune
windfall · stroke of luck · lucky break · double bonus · godsend
double whammynon-event
Disappointing lack of significance
nothing burger · non-issue · blip · hiccup
double, doubled, doubling, doubles, redouble, whammy, redoubled, redoubling, redoubles