Master English one word at a time. World of Words provides a daily English word with its precise meaning, pronunciation, and practical usage examples to help you build a powerful vocabulary.
to subject to two opposing forces at the same time
Explanation
When you're caught between two competing demands, you can say you're being whipsawed. The word originally referred to a type of saw operated by two people pulling it back and forth, an apt image for feeling pulled in different directions. If you're being whipsawed, it may leave you unsure of which way to turn.
Example: Conflicting orders from both managers continued to whipsaw the team throughout the frantic week.
A sunset can paint the sky, turning it a dramatic incarnadine shade. You might also find this color in the jewel-like seeds of a ripe pomegranate, the velvet folds of a theater curtain, or the bright plumage of a cardinal. Wherever you see an incarnadine hue, it's bound to be a showstopper.
Example: The sky turned a rich incarnadine color as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Each year, millions of visitors flock to the British Museum in London to catch a glimpse of the famous Rosetta Stone. But why exactly did a broken stone slab become one of the most celebrated artifacts in the world?
