snowball effect
1 of 1noun/ˈsnoʊbɔl ɪˈfɛkt/
Forms:snowball effects
1
a situation where something increases or gives rise to other things
The idiom "snowball effect" is derived from the literal concept of a snowball rolling down a hill, gradually picking up more snow and increasing in size as it goes. In a figurative sense, it is sued to signify a situation in which a small action or event triggers a chain reaction, causing an issue or situation to grow rapidly or become more significant.
- The positive feedback from early customers created a snowball effect, attracting more clients to the business.
- A small disagreement among team members can escalate into a major conflict, thanks to the snowball effect.
- A single lie can lead to a snowball effect of further lies as a person tries to cover their tracks.
- Once the rumors started, they quickly spread through the community like a snowball effect.
- The initial budget overrun triggered a snowball effect of financial issues that the project couldn't recover from.