whipsaw

American  

[hwip-saw, wip-] / ˈʰwɪpˌsɔ, ˈwɪp- /

noun

1. a saw for two persons, as a pitsaw, used to divide timbers lengthwise.

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verb (used with object)

whipsawed, whipsawed, whipsawn, whipsawing

1. to cut with a whipsaw.

2. to win two bets from (a person) at one turn or play, as at faro.

3. to subject to two opposing forces at the same time.

   The real-estate market has been whipsawed by high interest rates and unemployment.

verb (used without object)

whipsawed, whipsawed, whipsawn, whipsawing

1. (of a trailer, railroad car, etc.) to swing suddenly to the right or left, as in rounding a sharp curve at high speed.

whipsaw British  

/ ˈwɪpˌsɔː /

noun

1. any saw with a flexible blade, such as a bandsaw

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verb

1. to saw with a whipsaw

2. to defeat in two ways at once

Etymology

Origin of whipsaw

First recorded in 1530–40; whip + saw ¹

Example Sentences

The whipsaw moves in South Korean stocks last week were textbook examples of a bubble, Bank of America’s equity strategists say.

From MarketWatch

Equities whipsawed Thursday, closing sharply down after spending much of the day in the green.

From The Wall Street Journal

The market has been hit by whipsaw moves, underscoring how investors are struggling to price in the financial implications of the geopolitical shock.

From MarketWatch

Tuesday’s trading was the latest example of the market’s whipsawing moves, underscoring how investors are struggling to price in the economic and market implications of the geopolitical shock.

From MarketWatch

Fears and uncertainty about the impact artificial intelligence will have on the U.S. economy, workforce, and stocks have caused markets to whipsaw and continue to confuse investors.

From Barron's