Whipsawn: meaning, definitions and examples
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whipsawn
[ ˈwɪpˌsɔn ]
sudden change
To be whipsawn means to be caught in a rapid and extreme change of events or circumstances, often leading to confusion or disorientation. This term is particularly used to describe situations where a person feels as if they have been dealt two opposing blows in a short amount of time, making it difficult to maintain a steady course of action or thought. The imagery suggests the action of being sawed by a whip, highlighting the sudden and jarring nature of these changes.
Synonyms
astonished, bewildered, confounded, overwhelmed
Examples of usage
- He felt whipsawn by the sudden turn of events in his career.
- The economy has whipsawn many investors with its unpredictable swings.
- After receiving news of the layoffs and a promotion simultaneously, she felt completely whipsawn.
- The political landscape is so volatile that citizens are often left whipsawn.
Translations
Translations of the word "whipsawn" in other languages:
🇵🇹 serra de um lado só
🇮🇳 एक तरफ से काटा हुआ
🇩🇪 einseitig gesägt
🇮🇩 dipotong di satu sisi saja
🇺🇦 пиляний з одного боку
🇵🇱 cięty z jednej strony
🇯🇵 片面だけで切られた
🇫🇷 découpé d'un côté
🇪🇸 cortado de un lado
🇹🇷 bir taraftan kesilmiş
🇰🇷 한쪽에서만 절단된
🇸🇦 مقطوع من جانب واحد
🇨🇿 na jedné straně řezaný
🇸🇰 rezaný z jednej strany
🇨🇳 单面切割
🇸🇮 rezan z ene strani
🇮🇸 sagður að einni hlið
🇰🇿 бір жағынан кесілген
🇬🇪 ერთ მხარეს დაჭრილი
🇦🇿 bir tərəfdən kəsilmiş
🇲🇽 cortado de un lado
Etymology
The term 'whipsawn' is derived from the combination of two distinct components: 'whip' and 'sawn'. The 'whip' suggests quickness and sudden action, and 'sawn' refers to the act of being cut or divided sharply. The origins of 'whip' can be traced back to Old English 'hwippa', which denotes a quick movement or blow, emphasizing speed and abruptness. 'Sawn', the past participle of 'saw', relates to cutting with a saw, originating from Old English 'sagu', which refers to a tool for cutting. 'Whipsawn' as a figurative expression captures the essence of being abruptly affected by opposing forces or rapid changes, vividly illustrating the sensation of disorientation experienced by individuals in a flux of circumstances. Its usage has grown over time, especially in contexts discussing economics, politics, and personal experiences in a rapidly changing environment. This reflects modern anxieties about instability and unpredictability in various areas of life.