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

There has been little evidence of this in recent years, with concerns the WRU hierarchy are sleepwalking into a continued downward spiral.

From BBC

She said urgent action was needed to prevent closures and the “downward spiral that will cause the arts to lose their impact”.

From BBC

“This contrast, this conflict, this clash of lives where you have young working families just trying to breathe in the air and have some form of relief, and next to them, you have people in a downward spiral — I wanted him to see that,” Reyes said.

From Los Angeles Times

"But I don’t think that can last forever, there is a timeline in that and it came to a period where it was too much for us as players and you saw a bit of a downward spiral."

From BBC

This downward spiral of self-destruction isn't subtle; it is why there are so many "divorced dude energy" jokes about Trump voters.

From Salon