perfect storm

American  

noun

1. Meteorology. a very intense and powerful storm arising from the convergence of an unusual set of weather patterns.

   A dying Hurricane Grace delivered the immeasurable tropical energy needed to create the perfect storm.

2. a detrimental or calamitous situation or event arising from the powerful combined effect of a unique set of circumstances.

   a perfect storm battering corporate pension plans.

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perfect storm British  

noun

1. a combination of events which are not individually dangerous, but occurring together produce a disastrous outcome

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Etymology

Origin of perfect storm

First recorded in 1935–40 in meteorological sense; in 1997 for current sense, from The Perfect Storm, a nonfiction book by Sebastian Junger, U.S. journalist and author (born 1962)

Example Sentences

Fifty years ago, the U.S. was hit by a perfect storm of negative events that shook the nation’s economic foundations to the core.

From MarketWatch

In 2022, loose monetary and fiscal policy combined with an energy shock and supply constraints to create a "perfect storm for inflation", he said.

From Barron's

"It was a kind of perfect storm for inflation," he told AFP.

From Barron's

But Linderbaum had a perfect storm on his side to supercharge his market.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It was a bit of a perfect storm."

From BBC