three-ring circus

Or three-ringed circus

[three-ring]

noun

1. a circus having three adjacent rings in which performances take place simultaneously.

2. something spectacular, tumultuous, entertaining, or full of confused action.

   Our family reunions are always three-ring circuses.

three-ring circus

noun

1. a circus with three rings in which separate performances are carried on simultaneously

2. a situation of confusion, characterized by a bewildering variety of events or activities

Word History and Origins

Origin of three-ring circus¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

A situation of complete confusion, as in It was a three-ring circus, with the baby crying, the dog barking, both telephones ringing, and someone at the front door. This term alludes to a circus where three rings or arenas are featuring performances simultaneously. Perhaps invented by show business impresario P.T. Barnum, the term was extended to other confused situations by about 1900.

Related Words

• circus