perfect storm
nounEtymology First use appears c. 1936 in the newspaper The Port Arthur News.
1
Climatology, Meteorology, Natural sciences 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.
1 more example
- Hung my head as I lost the war And the sky turned black like a perfect storm2014 October 27, Taylor Swift, Imogen Heap, “Clean (Taylor's Version)”, in 1989 (Taylor's Version), performed by Taylor Swift, published 27 October 2023:
2
Broadly, Figuratively A convergence of multiple adverse factors that together create a critical, disastrous, or unusually severe situation.
- 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.
- Tory said he was worried that "a perfect storm" of economic factors could put tourist operators and their communities in peril.2008 June 30, Jim Coyle, “Stormy weather for tourism season”, in Toronto Star, page AA8: