vicious circle
noun [singular]a situation in which one problem causes another problem which then makes the first problem worse 恶性循环 He was trapped in a vicious circle of addiction and petty crime. 他深陷毒瘾和轻罪的恶性循环。 She can't see any way to break out of this vicious circle. 她看不出有什么办法可以打破这个恶性循环。 Stress and fatigue can create a vicious circle. 压力和疲劳会造成恶性循环。