in the wake of

Talk about a colorful expression! 

JPMorgan Chase's chief investment officer, Ina Drew, retires in wake of $2 billion trading loss.

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To understand the expression "in the wake of" or "in wake of", you need to understand the meaning of the noun, wake.  Here is a photo of a wake, viewed from in front of the wake:

and another image of a wake, viewed from above the wake:

So when there is a $2 billion trading loss, the loss causes many other events to occur. 

Here are a few more from the new: What is the cataclysmic event in each case, and what are the results of that event?

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Best Buy founder Schulze to step down as chairman in wake of CEO scandal

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August 8, 1974 In the wake of Watergate, Nixon resigns the presidency

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There are always cataclysmic events occuring. Try to find a few more in the news; it shouldn't take you long!

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