What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Chinese fire drill
noun
Definition of Chinese fire drill
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
From the M-W Editors
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up Chinese fire drill? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!