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

Younger generations—young millennials and Gen Z—have grown up in the perfect storm.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Gen X is living in the perfect storm for their retirement and overall wealth building,” said Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute and its Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.

From MarketWatch

Not long ago, Jordan Thompson, 20 and Morgan Hogarth, 18, were at the eye of that perfect storm.

From BBC

“It’s an absolute perfect storm to be able to do what Ilia does,” two-time Olympian and NBC Sports analyst Johnny Weir said.

From Los Angeles Times

Stocks rallied while precious metals rebounded as some stability returned Tuesday following a rout fuelled by a perfect storm that sent shivers through across Asian trading floors.

From Barron's