double whammy

double whammy

A situation in which two negative things happen at the same time or in rapid succession. Jack suffered a double whammy when his car broke down the same day he lost his job.
See also: double, whammy
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a double ˈwhammy

(informal) two unpleasant situations or events that happen at the same time and cause problems for somebody/something: With this government we’ve had a double whammy of tax increases and benefit cuts.This phrase comes from the 1950s American cartoon L’il Abner. One of the characters could shoot a whammy (= use magic power to make something bad happen to somebody) by pointing a finger with one eye open, or a double whammy with both eyes open.
See also: double, whammy
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

double whammy

(ˈdəblæ ˈʍæmi)
n. a double portion of something, especially something troublesome. (From Li’l Abner, a comic strip by Al Capp.) This morning was bad, but this afternoon the boss gave us a double whammy.
See also: double, whammy
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a double whammy
  • whammy
  • one-two punch
  • the old one-two (punch)
  • put the whammy on (one)
  • make rapid strides
  • hire and fire
  • turn and turn about
  • people processor
  • tick something off on your fingers
References in periodicals archive
Their double whammy surely won't go down too well with those who work and shop in Birmingham.
Brainless to bring in tourist [...]; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ
[USA], Jul 22 ( ANI ): Turns out, rush-hour commuters may be in for a double whammy of pollution exposure.
Rush-hour pollution may be more harmful than thought
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) hailed a "double whammy of good news for cash-conscious customers" after overall shop prices fell by 0.8%, dropping for the eighth consecutive month and at the fastest pace since its survey began in December 2006.
Discounting sees shop prices fall; ROUNDUP
Reuters reported CEO Rupert Soames as saying: "We have got a double whammy going into next year.
Aggreko shares tumble on sales warning
The double whammy left Cole reeling - and means he will be landed with a PS240,000 club fine - two weeks' wages - as well as missing out on the chance of his 100th England cap against Poland in nine days' time.
COLE AXED; Ashley out of England side and suffers club fine for Twitter rant
GET a double whammy of chocolate heaven with the nation's favourite bar...completely FREE today.
FREE Cadbury BAR OF CHOCOLATE; Pick it up from
Originally released in 2010, Mojo now includes a bonus live album to tie in with his Isle of Wight Festival slot and Royal Albert Hall gigs, and with a setlist which includes I Won't Back Down, Listen To Her Heart and other fan favourites, highlighted by the double whammy final of Refugee and American Girl.
TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS [...]
THIS is a double whammy. First, conmen coldcall victims flogging an energy-saving device.
BEWARE!
BUS users face a double whammy of rising fares and cuts to services as council transport budgets are slashed by over pounds 500,000.
BUSES FACE THE AXE; And fares set to rocket as funding is slashed 27%
Gerry Doherty, general secretary for the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association Union, said: "This is a double whammy for millions of passengers.
Railway stations may be unmanned; InBrief
However, there was a double whammy for Bridgend, who also received a ground improvement notice.
CARDIFF are now odds-on [...]; CRICKET newsbulletin
CHANCELLOR George Osborne was given a double whammy of economic bad news as he put the final touches to his second Budget as Chancellor today.
Pall is cast over 'growth Budget' Inflation and borrowing double-hit
MY WEEK Punting high A back-to-lay of Rubi Light at Punchestown, getting rid of the pre-race bet at very short odds, while backing Mourad to beat Robbie Hennessy's hurdler when he had 15 lengths to claw back - a double whammy that worked in my favour for once Punting low Getting caught out by hard-pullers that win.
MY WEEK Punting
THE "double whammy" of Christmas and the credit crunch is expected to make this week one of the "busiest ever" for divorce lawyers.
Busy start to year for divorce lawyers
Like we don't have enough to worry about at this time of year what with the double whammy of winter bugs and the credit card bills.
If you're feeling a bit beaky