verb

spiralled

to move in a spiral, to escalate, to worsen rapidly

The bird spiralled up into the sky.

The bird spiralled up into the sky.

Costs have spiralled out of control.

Costs have spiralled out of control.

The economy spiralled into recession.

The economy spiralled into recession.

((sth.)) to spiral (direction) to move in a spiral (direction) The bird spiralled up.

((sth.)) to spiral out of control to become uncontrollable Costs have spiralled out of control.

((sth.)) to spiral into (sth.) to fall into (a bad situation) The economy spiralled into recession.

escalate, worsen, plunge (negative); ascend, climb (positive)

From the noun 'spiral', which comes from the Latin 'spira' meaning 'coil'.

Picture a spiral staircase. The verb can mean going up or down that staircase, either literally or figuratively (like prices or a situation).

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.