three-ring circus
Americannoun
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a circus having three adjacent rings in which performances take place simultaneously.
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something spectacular, tumultuous, entertaining, or full of confused action.
Our family reunions are always three-ring circuses.
noun
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a circus with three rings in which separate performances are carried on simultaneously
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a situation of confusion, characterized by a bewildering variety of events or activities
Etymology
Origin of three-ring circus
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
During the regular season, when they play by traditional rules, the collegiate summer league team uses quirky fan contests, sing-alongs and other stunts to transform games into a three-ring circus.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2022
Métier is where I send people who want some ceremony with their meal, just not a three-ring circus.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 30, 2021
Our house was a combination three-ring circus and zoo, complete with ongoing action, daring feats, music, and animals.
From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
