vicious circle

noun
🔊/ˌvɪʃəs ˈsɜːkl/
🔊/ˌvɪʃəs ˈsɜːrkl/
(also vicious cycle
🔊/ˌvɪʃəs ˈsaɪkl/
🔊/ˌvɪʃəs ˈsaɪkl/
)
[singular]
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  1. a situation in which one problem causes another problem which then makes the first problem worse恶性循环
    • He was trapped in a vicious circle of addiction and petty crime.他深陷毒瘾和轻罪的恶性循环。
    • She can't see any way to break out of this vicious circle.她看不出有什么办法可以摆脱这种恶性循环。
    • Stress and fatigue can create a vicious circle.压力和疲劳会造成恶性循环。
    compare virtuous circle