comedy of errors

comedy of errors

A situation or series of events characterized by a number of humorous or ridiculous mix-ups, mishaps, or blunders. Taken from one of Shakespeare's early comedies, The Comedy of Errors. Their business was a comedy of errors by the end, with orders constantly being confused, employees arriving at the wrong time, and the financial accounts being all over the place. The story is a delightful comedy of errors, in which every sort of mistake and confusion that can arise does—with everything working out just fine in the end, of course.
See also: comedy, error, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

comedy of errors

A complex or humorous series of events, as in Mary and John went to the Smiths', while the Smiths went to the Parkers', and the Parkers wondered why no one answered the door at John and Mary's-a true comedy of errors . The term borrows the title of Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors, about two sets of twin brothers, master and slave, who are separated in infancy, and the mix-ups occurring when they arrive in the same place many years later. [c. 1600]
See also: comedy, error, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

comedy of errors

A ludicrous event or sequence of events: The candidate's campaign turned out to be a political comedy of errors.
See also: comedy, error, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • a chapter of accidents
  • chapter
  • be a chapter of accidents
  • brave
  • brave new world
  • brave new world, a
  • a brave new world
  • protest too much
  • conscience does make cowards of us all
  • rising tide, a
References in periodicals archive
The first goal was a comedy of errors and confidence is low.
Whild: Lots of work is needed if Moors are to escape relegation
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)[India], Aug 22 ( ANI ): Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Kanimozhi on Tuesday said the merger of EPS and OPS factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is like a 'comedy of errors' and nobody could predict what would happen next in the party.
EPS-OPS merger is like 'comedy of errors': DMK's Kanimozhi
One of the earliest, and easily the shortest of Shakespeare's plays -- "which might have an appeal for some audiences," laughs Colin -- A Comedy of Errors is basically a modernised adaptation of Menaechmi by Plautus.
Shakespeare's comic best
Bob Carr, mitigating, described the whole incident as a 'comedy of errors.'.
Woman dialled 999 - to get police removed from her Sheepridge home
Let us all hope all's well that ends well, so as to rid us of this Labour comedy of errors, and loves labours lost forever.
Much ado about Labour council; Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net
"An X-Ray Affair: Or a Modern Comedy of Errors" is a humorous exposure of the world of academic medicine that includes Niall's adventures in extra-marital sex, fraud, misconduct and pure hubris.
An X-Ray Affair: Or a Modern Comedy of Errors
and Vacation The pungent brown sewage, which the Griswolds smear on their faces, believing it to be mineral-enriched mud, is a fitting summation of this joyless and charmless comedy of errors.
best of the rest
He may seem an odd choice to those who do not keep up with the British theatre scene's news, but in recent years he's tackled Shakespeare with acclaimed performances in othello and The comedy Of Errors and has appeared in more modern stage projects, including Rudy's Rare Records, which was based on his own radio show.
best awards
I HAVE been a life-long Newcastle United fan, but this current comedy of errors ie; Ashley and Pardew is breaking my heart.
Toon pair are just 'Klingons' FEEDBACK
THE only birds that might be seen during a new tour of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors will be the feathered varity.
Let's hear it for the boys in Bard treats; THEATRE
Linklater ("The Crazy Ones'') most recently performed there in "The Comedy of Errors'' last summer, while Rabe ("American Horror Story'') was in the 2012 Shakespeare in the Park production of "As You Like It.''
Rabe, Lithgow return to Central Park this summer
The acclaimed Worcestershire-based theatre company has just embarked on a British tour with its award-winning production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and a revival of The Comedy of Errors.
Shakespeare actor is living the dream; THEATRE All male Shakespeare theatre troupe Propeller is embarking on its latest tour. Catherine Vonledebur talks to actor Dan Wheeler about the company
CHICAGO: When the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program presents its sophomore effort, a streamlined The Comedy of Errors, July 25-Aug.
Truckload of comedy
Take a good look at Hamish Linklater and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the clown princes who are making a dazzling spectacle of themselves in Daniel Sullivan's madcap version of The Comedy of Errors at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Errors patched up in giddy park lark
Elsewhere on the show things went faintly Shakespearean with Reggie Yates calling it a case of "To turn or not to turn..." But I'm afraid The Voice is still Much Ado About Nothing with a side order of Comedy Of Errors.
BACK at BBC1's The Voice [...]