WHIPSAW


Meaning of WHIPSAW in English

I. ˈhwip-ˌsȯ, ˈwip- noun

Date: 15th century

: a narrow pit saw averaging 5 to 7 1/2 feet (1.5 to 2.3 meters) in length

II. transitive verb

Date: 1842

1. : to saw with a whipsaw

2. : to beset or victimize in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation, or by the collusive action of two opponents

wage earners were whipsaw ed by inflation and high taxes

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.