Found 2 items, similar to whipsaw.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: whipsaw
whipsaw
n : a handsaw intended for use by two people [syn:
two-handed saw
]
v 1: victimize, especially in gambling or negotiations
2: saw with a whipsaw
[also:
whipsawn]
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Whipsaw
Whipsaw
\Whip"saw`\, n.
1. A saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in a
frame, and worked by two persons; also, a fret saw.
[1913 Webster]
2. A kind of narrow ripsaw, tapering from butt to point, with
hook teeth and averaging from 5 to 71/2 feet in length,
used by one or two men.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Whipsaw
\Whip"saw`\, v. t.
1. To saw with the whipsaw.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. To defeat in, or cause to lose, two different bets at the
same turn or in one play, as a player at faro who has made
two bets at the same time, one that a card will lose and
another that a different card will win; hence, to defeat
in spite of every effort.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
3. to cause to suffer a setback or losses by subjecting to
two forces at the same time or in rapid succession; as,
consumers were whipsawed by both inflation and higher
sales taxes.
[PJC]
4. (Finance) to cause to suffer a series of losses in trading
when buying and selling at the wrong times in a rapidly
fluctuating market; -- especially used when an attempt is
made, by selling short, to recover losses from a long
purchase in a declining market, and the short sale also
results in a loss when the market subsequently rises. Used
mostly in the passive; as, to be whipsawed by exaggerated
responses to a changing outlook.
[PJC]