virtuous circles

Noun

virtuous circle (plural virtuous circles)

1. (idiomatic) A situation in which the solution to one problem makes each future problem easier to solve than the original one.
   • [T]he less our agriculturists are interfered with by the importation of foreign corn, the more money have they to spend with their manufacturing brethren, who, in turn, secure of their steady profits at home, are able to ship extensively to distant markets with little apprehension as to the result....1847, [John Lettsom Elliot], A Letter to the Electors of Westminster. From a Conservative, 2nd edition, [London]: John Hearne, […], →OCLC, page 18

   Synonyms:

   virtuous cycle, virtuous spiral

   Antonyms:

   vicious circle, vicious cycle

2. (idiomatic) A series of positive events where each event leads to the next, creating a self-sustaining cycle of improvement and success.