Whipsaw: meaning, definitions and examples
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whipsaw
[ˈwɪpˌsɔː ]
Definitions
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
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.
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
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term originated from the 18th century where it literally described a type of saw used by two people to cut wood.
- The word started being used metaphorically in the 20th century to denote situations causing distress from conflicting demands.
Pop Culture
- The term has been used in literature and film to depict characters facing severe dilemmas, highlighting internal conflicts.
- In sports commentary, it describes a player being caught between the opposing team’s strategies and pressures.
Economics
- In finance, whipsaw refers to market conditions where prices fluctuate dramatically in a short period, impacting traders.
- Investors often face whipsaw effects when acting on trends that quickly reverse direction.
Psychology
- People can experience emotional whipsawing when dealing with conflicting obligations, leading to stress and anxiety.
- The concept is sometimes related to cognitive dissonance, where a person feels tension from holding contradictory beliefs.
Literature
- Several authors use whipsawing as a theme in stories that explore character choices driven by external pressures.
- It also appears in poetry to describe the turbulence of feelings when faced with divergent paths.
Translations
Translations of the word "whipsaw" in other languages:
🇵🇹 serra
- manipular
- volta e meia
🇮🇳 चौकड़ी
- पलटा
- धोखा देना
🇩🇪 Säge
- Wende
- Schwankung
🇮🇩 gergaji
- memanipulasi
- membalik
🇺🇦 пила
- розвертати
- обманювати
🇵🇱 piła
- manipulować
- zmiana
🇯🇵 のこぎり
- ひねり
- 動揺
🇫🇷 scie
- manipuler
- oscillation
🇪🇸 sierra
- manipular
- cambio
🇹🇷 testere
- manipüle etmek
- dönme
🇰🇷 톱
- 조작하다
- 변동
🇸🇦 منشار
- تلاعب
- تغير
🇨🇿 pila
- manipulovat
- změna
🇸🇰 píla
- manipulovať
- zmena
🇨🇳 锯子
- 操纵
- 波动
🇸🇮 žaga
- manipulirati
- sprememba
🇮🇸 sög
- stýra
- breyta
🇰🇿 ара
- манипуляция
- өзгеріс
🇬🇪 ხერხი
- მანიპულირება
- შეცვლა
🇦🇿 döngü
- manipulyasiya
- dəyişiklik
🇲🇽 sierra
- manipular
- cambio