chain reaction
noun [ C ] uk/ˌtʃeɪn riˈæk.ʃən/ us/ˌtʃeɪn riˈæk.ʃən/
连锁反应，链式反应
a set of related events in which each event causes the next one, or a chemical reaction in which each change causes another
The war risked setting off a perilous chain reaction that would endanger the whole world. 这场战争可能会引发危险的连锁反应，从而威胁到全世界的安全。