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

In almost the same breath, Longstreet flipped his commitment to the Trojans, capping a high-stakes game of musical chairs for USC, just two weeks ahead of signing day.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2024

Looks like the Dodger brain trust will again be playing musical chairs with Mookie Betts.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2024

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

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2024

When we played musical chairs, I couldn’t tell when the music stopped.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly