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

Politics in Hialeah often plays out like a game of musical chairs. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

The musical chairs come as The Voice will have a slightly different pattern in terms of scheduling for its fall season. —Peter White, Deadline, 12 May 2025

The Knights experienced a chaotic situation, resembling a game of musical chairs, as four players started at quarterback without any of them being injured. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025

Every now and then, that rogue colleague’s seating choice can set off a game of musical chairs. —Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for musical chairs

• concessionaires
• affaires
• affairs
• armchairs
• bulgars
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears