Idioms

a vicious circle

This page is about the idiom a vicious circle

Meaning

If you're in a vicious circle you're in a situation in which the solution to one problem becomes the cause of another one, and the solution to that one causes the first problem to occur again.

For example

  • If I quit cigarettes I put on weight, and if I put on weight I get depressed, and if I get depressed I start smoking again. It's a vicious circle.

  • I'm in this vicious circle where the more I work, the more I spend on rewarding myself for all the hard work, so no matter how hard I work, I never save any money.

Quick Quiz

You could be in a vicious circle if the solution to one problem becomes the

a. cause of another one

b. result of another one

c. solution to another one
a) cause of another one b) result of another one c) solution to another one
a vicious circle

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey