vicious circle
US /ˈvɪʃ.əs ˈsɜːr.kl̩/
UK /ˈvɪʃ.əs ˈsɜːr.kl̩/
1.
a situation in which one problem leads to another problem, and that second problem makes the first problem worse
:
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The company was caught in a vicious circle of declining sales and budget cuts.
•
Lack of sleep can create a vicious circle of stress and fatigue.