vicious circle

ˈvi•cious ˈcir•cle, n. [countable]

a situation in which an effort or attempt to solve a given problem results in making the problem worse or in creating a new, worse problem.

vi′cious cir′cle,

Philosophy[Logic.]
- (in demonstration) the use of each of two propositions to establish the other.
- (in definition) the use of each of two terms to define the other.
a situation in which effort to solve a given problem results in aggravation of the problem or the creation of a worse problem:a vicious circle where the more I give them, the more they expect.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vicious circle n

Also: vicious cycle a situation in which an attempt to resolve one problem creates new problems that lead back to the original situation
- a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is inferred from premises the truth of which cannot be established independently of that conclusion
- an explanation given in terms that cannot be understood independently of that which was to be explained

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