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 stock was whipsawed a few times by changing defense policies that threaten F-35 international sales and Lockheed’s ability to pay dividends.

From Barron's

Both Truth Social missives Wednesday whipsawed shares of Patriot missile maker RTX, and home buyers Blackstone and Invitation Homes, which fell sharply.

From Barron's

Both Truth Social missives Wednesday whipsawed shares of Patriot missile maker RTX, and home buyers Blackstone and Invitation Homes, which fell sharply.

From Barron's

Both Truth Social missives Wednesday whipsawed shares of Patriot missile maker RTX, and home buyers Blackstone and Invitation Homes, which fell sharply.

From Barron's

Trade patterns have whipsawed over the past year as supply chains bend and flex around a blistering pace of policy change.

From The Wall Street Journal