downward spiral

[doun-werd spahy-ruhl]

noun

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of downward spiral¹

First recorded in 1870–80

Example Sentences

“So this has a downward spiral effect.”

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“Because it’s really easy to get into a mindset of revenge trading and then just having a downward spiral of performance when the market is hard.”

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She says fashion's current model is a "downward spiral" where brands make cheaper garments to offset huge return rates, which leads to unhappy customers and more waste.

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When successful in preventing such downward spiral, cities in the past put in place quickly an administration filled by people with experience—something Mr. Mamdani notably lacks.

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It goes on: “Bulls— smile, in denial / We’ve been circling the block / We’ve been in a downward spiral.”

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