like a three-ring circus

like a three-ring circus

Totally chaotic, frenetic, and wild. I babysat my neighbor's two young children the other evening, and it was like a three-ring circus in there! The company has been like a three-ring circus without the boss around to keep things in order.
See also: circus, like
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

like a three-ring circus

Fig. chaotic; exciting and busy. Our household is like a three-ring circus on Monday mornings. This meeting is like a three-ring circus. Quiet down and listen!
See also: circus, like
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a three-ring circus
  • three-ring circus
  • three-ring circus, a
  • crumb-crusher
  • cruncher
  • crunchers
  • crumb-cruncher
  • crusher
  • snafu
References in periodicals archive
"At a conference like this, it's sometimes like a three-ring circus, but there are so many people there who think outside the box.
Science, industrial sectors converge at CLRA event
But it's presenting the show, being recorded in Culver City on June 3, she's most looking forward to: "The MTV Movie Awards is like a three-ring circus and I'm thrilled they asked me to be this year's ringmaster," she claims.
3AM: Alba ringmaster