musical chairs

American  

noun

1. Also called going to Jerusalem.  a game in which players march to music around two rows of chairs placed back to back, there being one chair less than the number of players, the object being to find a seat when the music stops abruptly. The player failing to do so is removed from the game, together with one chair, at each interval.

2. Informal. a situation or series of events in which jobs, decisions, prospects, etc., are changed with confusing rapidity.

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musical chairs British  

noun

1. a party game in which players walk around chairs while music is played, there being one fewer chair than players. Whenever the music stops, the player who fails to find a chair is eliminated

2. any situation involving a number of people in a series of interrelated changes

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Etymology

Origin of musical chairs

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The poaching has created a well-compensated game of musical chairs that has reshuffled the rarefied roster of lawyers considered go-to advocates before the nation’s high court.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

It’s a get-in-where-you-fit-in or get-edged-all-the-way-out kind of city, wherein a deceptively laissez-faire game of musical chairs can determine your fate.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

That’s why picking winners and losers with the NFL’s annual game of musical chairs is a dicey proposition.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025

The musical chairs look set to continue, which might sound pleasing to the ears of Celtic’s front three.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2024

The wild metals writhed, moving towers and turrets around like musical chairs.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton