What does the phrase fall down like a row of dominoes mean?

If you set up a row of dominoes in such a way that they are very close together and push on the first one the next will fall, then the next, the the next until the last one falls.

For example: If you are late getting up from bed in the morning, you may not be able to eat breakfast, you will trip and fall trying to run out the door to get the bus and may miss it, and finally be late for school. All because you slept too long.