The Open Dictionary

self-fulfilling prophecy

noun

UK/ˌself.fʊlˌfɪl.ɪŋ ˈprɒf.ə.si/
US/ˌself.fʊlˌfɪl.ɪŋ ˈprɑː.fə.si/

Definitions of self-fulfilling prophecy noun

  1. Countable

    A prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true due to the initial expectation of the outcome.

    • He kept telling himself he would fail, and it happened; it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    • When she anticipated performing well in the interview, she actually did well due to that belief, which is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    • The negative media coverage led to lower public expectations for the product, which eventually caused its sales to decline, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.