death spiral
The term "death spiral" is used in aviation, figure skating, and as a metaphor for situations leading to inevitable catastrophic failure.
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Definition
B2Aviation
(technical)A downward, corkscrew motion of an out-of-control aircraft leading to a crash.
Example
- The pilot struggled to regain control of the plane before it entered a death spiral.
C1Figure Skating
(technical, sports)A maneuver where a male skater spins in place while his partner circles around him, gradually lowering herself until her back nearly touches the ice.
Example
- The pair executed a flawless death spiral, drawing applause from the audience.
B2General
(figurative)A situation where events lead to continuous and irreversible decline.
Example
- The company's financial troubles put it into a death spiral from which it couldn't recover.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "death spiral":
death knelldeath ridedeath rolldeath throeupward spiraldeath cultdie off