Figurative meaning
a rare combination of bad circumstances that produces a disaster
Why this phrase?
Several conditions combining into exceptionally severe weather provide the image for a disastrous convergence of circumstances.
Example
“A hiring freeze plus a market crash created the perfect storm.”
Dictionary details
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
the calm before the storm
CEFR B2a quiet period immediately before trouble, intense activity, or chaos
weather the storm
CEFR B2survive a difficult period without suffering lasting damage
make or break
CEFR B2to be the single decisive factor between success and failure
when it rains it pours
CEFR C1when problems come, they come all at once
can of worms
CEFR B1a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched
domino effect
CEFR B1a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.