# snowball effect

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/snowball-effect
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An accelerating growth of magnitude, including fame, fortune, importance, or danger.

## Examples

- Small lies often lead to a snowball effect of bigger problems.
- One positive review led to more sales, creating a snowball effect that made the small shop famous overnight.
- The initial error in the financial report triggered a snowball effect, eventually resulting in the total collapse of the entire corporation.

## Origin

From the image of a snowball growing larger and faster as it rolls downhill; figurative use from the early 20th century. (disputed)

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.