perfect storm
English
editEtymology
editPopularized by the book (1997) and movie (2000) The Perfect Storm.
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Noun
editperfect storm (plural perfect storms)
- (meteorology, informal) A powerful hurricane or other major weather disturbance, especially as produced by a combination of meteorological conditions.
- 1796, William Fordyce Mavor, Historical account of the most celebrated voyages, travels, and discoveries ..., p. 161,
- But on the 24th of April, the wind again blew a perfect storm, and our other ships of the squadron separated, nor did any of them rejoin the commodore.
- 1914, Samuel Finley Breese Morse and Edward Lind Morse, Samuel F.B. Morse: His Letters and Journals, p. 190,
- Ten o'clock. Beginning to blow hard; taking in sails one after another. — Three o'clock. A perfect storm; the gale a few days ago but a gentle breeze to it.
- 1796, William Fordyce Mavor, Historical account of the most celebrated voyages, travels, and discoveries ..., p. 161,
- (figuratively, by extension) A situation in which several problems converge and make everything worse.
- 1862, Frank Moore, Edward Everett, The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, p. 149,
- They sent a perfect storm of bullets, over, under, and into our men.
- 2008 June 30, Jim Coyle, “Stormy weather for tourism season”, in Toronto Star, page AA8:
- Tory said he was worried that "a perfect storm" of economic factors could put tourist operators and their communities in peril.
- 1862, Frank Moore, Edward Everett, The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, p. 149,
Translations
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