Whipsaw: meaning, definitions and examples

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whipsaw

 

[ ˈwɪpˌsɔː ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

market movement

To whipsaw refers to a situation in the financial markets where the price of a security moves sharply in one direction and then in the opposite direction, often resulting in losses for traders. It can also describe a scenario in which traders are caught off-guard by rapid and significant price fluctuations.

Synonyms

oscillate, swing, zigzag

Examples of usage

  • Traders were whipsawed by the sudden drop in stock prices.
  • Investors need to be cautious as the market can whipsaw unexpectedly.
  • Many active traders were whipsawed by the volatility in tech stocks last week.
Context #2 | Verb

general

In a more general sense, to whipsaw can mean to be caught in a situation where one is forced to constantly change direction or strategy. This can apply in various contexts beyond finance, indicating confusion or instability.

Synonyms

alternate, shift, vary

Examples of usage

  • The political debate whipsawed the parties involved.
  • Her plans were whipsawed by the changing circumstances.
  • The company was whipsawed by fluctuating demands.

Translations

Translations of the word "whipsaw" in other languages:

🇵🇹 serra

🇮🇳 चौकड़ी

🇩🇪 Säge

🇮🇩 gergaji

🇺🇦 пила

🇵🇱 piła

🇯🇵 のこぎり

🇫🇷 scie

🇪🇸 sierra

🇹🇷 testere

🇰🇷 

🇸🇦 منشار

🇨🇿 pila

🇸🇰 píla

🇨🇳 锯子

🇸🇮 žaga

🇮🇸 sög

🇰🇿 ара

🇬🇪 ხერხი

🇦🇿 döngü

🇲🇽 sierra

Word origin

The term 'whipsaw' originally comes from the woodworking tool that consists of a saw on a frame, used for cutting logs back and forth. The word was first recorded in the early 19th century, referring to the sharp, back-and-forth movements of the tool. Its application in financial contexts likely emerged later, reflecting the rapid and erratic movements of market prices, akin to the motion of the saw. Over time, it has come to capture the essence of being caught off-guard by volatility, making it a popular term in trading and finance discussions. The imagery of being whipsawed conveys the alternating distress faced by traders when confronted with unpredictable market shifts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,847, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.