Spiral up
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Rapid Increase
Use 'spiral up' to describe something increasing quickly, often in a situation that's hard to control.
After the crisis, unemployment rates began to spiral up.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Spiral up' sometimes implies a negative outcome or an unwelcome situation.
Violence in the region has started to spiral up again.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase can be used figuratively to describe situations, not only physical quantities.
Tensions between the two countries continue to spiral up.
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