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
The start of the 2004 Litchfield boys and girls track and field season is a little like a game of musical chairs.
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Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Ultimately, Stacey is fully in her rights to switch camps, as Housewives is an eternal game of musical chairs to keep the plot moving; in this case however, Karen really set herself up for her own downfall.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
Notice, for instance, how often the things in these still-lifes seem to be playing musical chairs.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Many of those holding seats on town councils and as mayors have been in city government for decades (musical chairs) and many of them really should retire or find something else to do.
—Michelle Jefferson, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for musical chairs 
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Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Ultimately, Stacey is fully in her rights to switch camps, as Housewives is an eternal game of musical chairs to keep the plot moving; in this case however, Karen really set herself up for her own downfall.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
Notice, for instance, how often the things in these still-lifes seem to be playing musical chairs.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Many of those holding seats on town councils and as mayors have been in city government for decades (musical chairs) and many of them really should retire or find something else to do.
—Michelle Jefferson, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for musical chairs
Dictionary Entries Near musical chairs
Cite this Entry
“Musical chairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/musical%20chairs. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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