double whammy

American  

[duhb-uhl wam-ee, hwam-ee] / ˈdʌb əl ˈwæm i, ˈʰwæm i /

noun

Informal.

1. two devastating problems, setbacks, or catastrophes.

   The double whammy of insomnia and sleep apnea can make a night's rest almost impossible.

2. any doubled quantity or set of two.

   Visiting the sandwich shop and the ice cream shop makes a delightful savory-sweet double whammy for lunch.

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Etymology

Origin of double whammy

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

"And that double whammy of flu plus strikes means that there is an additional burden now on other NHS staff."

From BBC

The software developer plummeted 12% on Monday for its worst day in 11 months, felled by the double whammy of reports that the software company was eyeing a major acquistion and a downgrade from analysts at KeyBanc.

From Barron's

It comes after Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was "extremely worried" about the "double whammy" of rising numbers of flu patients in hospitals and forthcoming resident doctor strikes.

From BBC

Health Secretary Wes Streeting made a similar intervention to Sir Keir's on Friday, warning strikes coupled with increasing flu patients would be a "double whammy" for the NHS.

From BBC

But then when you’re telling someone else’s life story, it’s almost like a double whammy because of the pressure that you’re sort of holding someone’s life.

From Los Angeles Times