vortex
A fast, spinning movement of air or water.
A mass of air or water that spins rapidly around a center, often strong enough to pull things in.
A situation that is very intense and hard to get out of.
A difficult or intense situation that draws people in and is hard to escape.
A spinning flow of liquid or gas, studied in science.
In physics, a region in a fluid where the flow rotates around an axis, often forming a swirling pattern.
- Base: vortex
- Plural: vortexes, vortices
caught in a vortex
1Drawn into a hard situation
Stuck in a difficult, confusing situation.
- She felt caught in a vortex of meetings, emails, and deadlines.
- Once the argument went public, they were caught in a vortex of accusations.
- I was caught in a vortex of problems at work.
in the vortex of
1In the middle of intense activity
In the middle of something very busy or stressful.
- They met in the vortex of the campaign, when everyone was exhausted.
- In the vortex of the move, she forgot to update her address.
- I’m in the vortex of exams this week.
polar vortex
1large area of very cold polar air
A huge area of very cold air high above the polar region that sometimes moves south and brings very cold weather.
- A strong polar vortex is expected to bring record low temperatures to the region.
- News reports warned that the polar vortex would make travel dangerous.
- When the polar vortex weakens, icy air can spill into lower latitudes.
polar vortex
1Cold-air system near the poles
A big system of very cold air near the North or South Pole.
- Forecasters warned that the polar vortex could push temperatures far below normal.
- When the polar vortex weakens, cold air can spill into lower latitudes.
- The polar vortex can bring very cold weather.
- The news talked about the polar vortex.