downward spiral

[ doun-werd spahy-ruhl ]

noun

a continuous, usually rapid negative trend, especially one with a repeated and worsening cycle of events or states: The more I doubted myself, the more confused I became, in a vicious downward spiral.

Origin of downward spiral

First recorded in 1870–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

This downward spiral involving local power politics was obvious to the Americans in the valley.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
To his fellow survivors and to the audience, this delusion indicates another slip on a downward spiral.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero | Regina Lizik | October 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Even a modest hit from sanctions or pullback by foreign investors will only add to that downward spiral.
Putin’s Patriotism is Phony, His Desperation is Real | Andrew Nagorski | April 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Once caught in a downward spiral of economic blight and crime, the city was in danger of being lost.
Rio’s Security Crisis | Mac Margolis | August 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Then Lohan was cast—at the height of media interest in her downward spiral.
Is ‘The Canyons’ Really a Disaster? Our Critics Debate | Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern | August 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

He saw it: the downward spiral which could only lead to death for all of us in the last days.
Martyr | Alan Edward Nourse

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