knock-on effect
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A secondary, indirect, or consequential effect that occurs as a result of an initial action or event. It describes a chain reaction where one event causes another, which in turn causes further events.
Usage
This term is used to describe the ripple of consequences that follow from a single decision, action, or event. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of outcomes, where the initial cause is not the only significant factor.
Examples
- The main road closure had a knock-on effect, causing severe traffic jams throughout the entire city center.
- A strike at the factory will have a knock-on effect on all the suppliers and retailers who depend on its products.
- The new regulations are designed to limit the environmental knock-on effects of industrial waste.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in formal analyses (e.g., economic, social, or logistical reports) to discuss unintended consequences.
- It can be used with verbs like , , , , or .
- The plural form is knock-on effects.
Variants and Related Words
- Chain reaction (n): A series of events where each causes the next. (More specific to sequences of cause and effect).
- Ripple effect (n): A spreading series of effects or consequences, similar to ripples in water. (Often used interchangeably with "knock-on effect").
- Domino effect (n): The cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a chain of similar events. (Implies a more direct, sequential collapse or failure).
Synonyms
- Consequence
- Ramification
- Secondary effect
- Spillover effect
Antonyms
- Primary effect
- Direct cause
- Immediate result
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To set off a chain reaction: To initiate a series of interconnected events.
- The CEO's resignation set off a chain reaction of departures from the board.
Noun
- a secondary or incidental effect