knock-on effect

noun

ˈnäk-ˌȯn- 

plural knock-on effects

chiefly British

: an indirect or secondary effect

The heat wave has had critical knock-on effects. Surging electricity demand and stress on the power grid triggered power outages …

—Umair Irfan

Over the past 12 months, asking prices [for houses] have gone up by 9.5%. This has a knock-on effect for renters. UK rents rose by 8.3% in the last three months …

—theguardian.com (London)

compare domino effect, ripple effect

Examples of knock-on effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such systems are difficult to manage and control, and their complexity means that even small changes could have cascading knock-on effects that humans might be unable to manage effectively. —JSTOR Daily, 13 Nov. 2025

The loss of Lighthouse will have a knock-on effect for companies that still use that tracking standard, namely Pimax and Big Screen. —PC Magazine, 13 Nov. 2025

If newer buyers can’t get that starter home, Lautz cautioned, that could have knock-on effects for them and their children. —Jarrod Barry, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2025

If the shutdown continues, there may be another knock-on effect ahead of the holidays. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for knock-on effect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct