A vicious circle is a loop where each problem keeps causing the other. Break the vicious circle, caught in a vicious circle, a vicious circle of debt.
The two halves feed each other, which is what makes it worse than a single problem. Americans usually say vicious cycle, and the good version is a virtuous circle.
1phrasevicious circleA loop where each problem keeps causing the other.
“Poor sleep and worry make a vicious circle that is hard to break.”
vicious circle is a phrase.
Also accepted in games: vicious cycle
Practised in Idioms