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

This has created knock-on effects that have been similarly devastating. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 2 Feb. 2026

Lackluster business sentiment had a knock-on effect on collections showing. —Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026

Taking the easy-money route would produce a dangerous knock-on effect. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026

Had Duran stuck around that month, there would have been a knock-on effect that could well have altered Villa’s immediate future. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026

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