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If something, like an event, has a knock-on effect, it can triggers off several other events eg. if you're late for the first meeting of the afternoon, you'll probably be late for all of them, then you won't be able to pick your kids at school and it will take even more time to go and pick them at their grandma' etc.
I believe it's mainly UK; what would you say in US?
Yes, that's the same idea. 'Chain reaction' conjures up nuclear fission and the likes to me, though
Maybe there are more 'neutral' terms or expressions for not so important mishaps.
If something, like an event, has a knock-on effect, it can triggers off several other events eg. if you're late for the first meeting of the afternoon, you'll probably be late for all of them, then you won't be able to pick your kids at school and it will take even more time to go and pick them at their grandma' etc.
I believe it's mainly UK; what would you say in US?
FRC
I can't think of an AE synonym. We have domino effect, but one wouldn't use it as you used "knock-on". :wink:
knock-on effect 
Linear Mode
