three-ring circus

American  

[three-ring] / ˈθriˌrɪŋ /

Or three-ringed circus

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.

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three-ring circus British  

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

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three-ring circus Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of three-ring circus

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

A onetime Cincinnati mayor and news anchor, his namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional guests.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2023

“They just watch the three-ring circus play out.”

From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2023

But by Tuesday the fever had broken — at least enough so that Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show could take up residence, center stage, in the three-ring circus of disharmony that captures most people's attention.

From Salon • Feb. 16, 2023

“The Greatest Show on Earth” is making a comeback featuring extraordinary humans and no animal acts five years after shutting down its three-ring circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced Wednesday.

From Washington Post • May 18, 2022

We had a three-ring circus goin’ there for a while.”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

• circus