Chinese fire drill

noun

1
: a state of great confusion or disorder
2
: a prank in which a number of people jump out of an automobile stopped at a red traffic light, run around to the opposite side, and jump back in often in a different seat before the light changes to green

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Cite this Entry

“Chinese fire drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chinese%20fire%20drill. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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