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

The attacks followed several days of heavy rain, which experts say created a "perfect storm" of conditions for bull sharks who prefer murky water.

From BBC

"There's clearly an attractant in the water," Pepin-Neff says, suggesting that a "perfect storm" of low salinity freshwater could have created a "biodiversity explosion".

From BBC

It took a combination of every single element that transformed Indiana from an afterthought into college football’s 16-0 steamroller this season: a perfect storm of bold coaching, undervalued talent, and gamechanging guts.

From The Wall Street Journal

McNulty believes heavy rainfall over the weekend and brackish water conditions could have created a "perfect storm environment" for Sunday's attack.

From BBC

“It’s like a perfect storm,” said Cornell University economist John Cawley, who heads the American Economic Association’s job market committee.

From The Wall Street Journal