C2 · 100 entries · Five themes

Causes, systems and unintended effects

Created by , British English teacher.

Open a theme, then select a word or phrase for its meaning, example and pronunciation.

1. Dependencies and mechanisms (20 entries)
  1. precipitating event
  2. causal asymmetry
  3. have a cascading effect
  4. a conditioning variable
  5. underpin
  6. be contingent upon
  7. confound
  8. amplify a disturbance
  9. stem from
  10. be predicated on
  11. instigate
  12. a mutually reinforcing cycle
  13. a self-limiting process
  14. entrench a disparity
  15. perpetuate a cycle
  16. exhibit path dependence
  17. precipitate
  18. underlie
  19. accentuate a tendency
  20. catalyse
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2. Feedback and thresholds (20 entries)
  1. nonlinearity
  2. lock-in
  3. self-organisation
  4. intensify a feedback loop
  5. dampen a fluctuation
  6. a ripple effect
  7. automatic stabilisers
  8. a fiscal multiplier
  9. a structural deficit
  10. sensitivity to initial conditions
  11. fiscal drag
  12. an inverted yield curve
  13. second-order consequence
  14. equilibrium
  15. credit rationing
  16. a yield curve
  17. a sovereign spread
  18. an impaired asset
  19. a regressive levy
  20. a progressive rate structure
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3. Change and persistence (20 entries)
  1. path-dependent choice
  2. counterfactual
  3. path dependence
  4. hysteresis
  5. avoid overattribution
  6. externality
  7. make a causal link explicit
  8. dynamic inconsistency
  9. moral hazard
  10. as things stand
  11. a self-fulfilling prophecy
  12. dwindle
  13. anticipate second-order effects
  14. for the foreseeable future
  15. aggravate
  16. have had one's day
  17. render obsolete
  18. exacerbate
  19. deterrent
  20. benefit cliff
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4. Disruption and constraint (20 entries)
  1. vulnerable to disruption
  2. unworkable
  3. robust in the face of change
  4. infeasible
  5. insurmountable
  6. fettered by
  7. tractable
  8. hamstrung by
  9. feasible
  10. impracticable
  11. amenable to change
  12. workable
  13. taxing
  14. susceptible to influence
  15. intractable
  16. practicable
  17. recalcitrant
  18. onerous
  19. a throughput constraint
  20. scarcity
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5. Unintended consequences (20 entries)
  1. set the stage for something
  2. a counterproductive inducement
  3. sow the seeds of something
  4. reap what one sows
  5. have a sting in the tail
  6. throw a spanner in the works
  7. swing the pendulum the other way
  8. make a virtue out of necessity
  9. give someone a taste of their own medicine
  10. an unintended knock-on effect
  11. tip the balance in someone's favour
  12. put the cat among the pigeons
  13. give someone enough rope
  14. set the cat among the pigeons
  15. throw a curveball
  16. turn the tables on someone
  17. a rebound effect
  18. upset the apple cart
  19. precedent effect
  20. steal someone's thunder
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