flying circus

American  

noun

1. a squadron of airplanes operating together, especially any of several squadrons of famous World War I aviators.

2. a carnival troupe, or the like, offering exhibitions of stunt flying at fairs, circuses, etc.

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flying circus British  

noun

1. an exhibition of aircraft aerobatics

2. the aircraft and men who take part in such exhibitions

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Example Sentences

He later returned from the war and was a part of a flying circus show that performed airborne acrobatics.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2021

That anger gives way to a blueprint for how to direct a reunion show swirling with so many moving parts, it practically became its own flying circus.

From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2018

Each game was scrappy and difficult; unlike the Penguins, the Rangers are no flying circus of highlight-reel scoring stars.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2012

Nevada’s defense has improved under the watchful eye of new coordinator Andy Buh, but facing the Warriors’ flying circus at Aloha Stadium will be too much to handle.

From Newsweek • Oct. 13, 2010

The German heroes were the celebrated Captain Boelke, and the no less famous inventor of the "flying circus," Count von Richthofen.

From History of the World War An Authentic Narrative of the World's Greatest War by March, Francis Andrew