musical chairs

noun

plural in form but singular in construction

: a game in which players march to music around a row of chairs numbering one less than the players and scramble for seats when the music stops

also : a situation or series of events suggesting the game of musical chairs (as in rapid change or confusing activity)

Examples of musical chairs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our law enforcement action makes clear that investors cannot sidestep accountability by playing games of corporate musical chairs. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Double contracts on homes Is Cox playing musical chairs? —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

Head coach vacancy musical chairs: The open positions with the Bears, Jets and (seemingly) Jaguars have been filled, leaving the Cowboys, Raiders and Saints still looking for their leading men. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

Wait too long to address a need and a team can lose out in this game of musical chairs. —Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above