Dictionary

three-ring circus en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. A large circus in which three separate performances, each within its own circular enclosure, are staged simultaneously before a single audience.
2. (broadly, idiomatic) A disorderly, complicated, rapidly changing situation or set of events, which is a source of bewilderment, amazement, or amusement.
   • British television viewers had seen how proceedings in US courtrooms can almost turn into a three-ring circus during the OJ Simpson trial. 1997 November 1, Kim Sengupta, “Nanny Trial: Sharp contrast in US justice style”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 28 Jun 2012:
   • The Italian Parliament has long been a three-ring circus. 2011 April 1, Rachel Donadio, “Rude and Crude Behavior Stains Italian Parliament”, in New York Times, retrieved 28 Jun 2012:
   • Indoor track can be a three-ring circus, with so much going on in the space of a few evening hours that the fans hardly know where to look first. 1963 February 22, “Sport: Look! Another Record”, in Time:

Forms

Synonyms

commotion (idiomatic: disorderly, complicated, rapidly changing situation) · pandemonium