spiral
noun
a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.
were spiralling
-
past progressiveof spiral.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Infection expert Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, of Edinburgh University, said case numbers appeared to have plateaued "at a high level" where in other parts of the UK were "spiralling upwards".
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2021
Lord Berkeley, a railway expert and Labour peer, has repeatedly challenged the Department for Transport’s cost figures and warned that the budgets were spiralling out of control.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 21, 2019
He told the court his debts "were spiralling" out of his control.
From BBC ● May 15, 2018
The double-decker giant was a hugely complex machine, and its development costs were spiralling.
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2013
The banking system was near collapse, two big car manufacturers were sliding towards bankruptcy; and employment, the housing market and output were spiralling down.
From Economist ● Aug. 30, 2012
