indirect cause
noun phraseUK /ˌɪndaɪˈrɛkt kɔːz/
US /ˌɪndaɪˈrɛkt kɔz/
A thing that makes something happen but is not the main reason it happens.
The rain was an indirect cause of the car crash because it made the road slippery.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A cause that works through something else rather than acting directly.
Poor sleep was an indirect cause of his bad grades, since it made it hard to focus.
3. A factor that sets the stage for an event without being its immediate trigger.
The broken streetlight was an indirect cause of the accident.
4. A reason that is not obvious or immediate but still plays a part.
Lack of exercise can be an indirect cause of many health problems.