“a vicious circle”​ 的意思是 “恶性循环”。它指的是一个难以打破的不利循环，在这个循环中，一个问题导致另一个问题，后者又反过来加重前一个问题，使情况不断恶化。 与之相反的短语是“良性循环”（a virtuous circle）。 例句： He’s stuck in a vicious circle​ of working late, feeling tired, and then being less productive, which forces him to work even later. 他陷入了恶性循环：工作到很晚，感到疲惫，效率降低，结果又不得不工作到更晚。 Poverty and lack of education often form a vicious circle​ that is very difficult to break. 贫困和缺乏教育常常形成一个难以打破的恶性循环。