pass the parcel

pass the parcel

1. noun A children's party game in which participants pass around a prize wrapped in several layers of paper to accompanying music, with the child left holding the parcel when the music ends being allowed to remove one layer of paper. The child who unwraps the final layer of paper wins the prize. We played pass the parcel at Janie's birthday party, but the boy sitting next to me won the prize.
2. noun By extension, a situation in which the ownership of, responsibility for, stakes in, or value of something is constantly changing or shifting. Police officials have been accused of playing pass the parcel when it comes to accountability for police corruption, continuously changing positions and shifting blame.
3. adjective Describing such a situation. Usually hyphenated. Discussion about the sustainability and tenable value of new digital currencies has so far been little more than pass-the-parcel speculation.
See also: parcel, pass
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pass the parcel

a situation in which movement or exchange takes place, but no one gains any advantage.
Pass the parcel is the name of a children's game in which a parcel is passed round to the accompaniment of music. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel is allowed to open it.
1998 Times People who won the initial franchises have made the money…Any movement from now on is just a game of pass the parcel, really.
See also: parcel, pass
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • angle
  • angling
  • doo
  • high
  • high, wide, and handsome
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • fire and brimstone
  • bummer
References in periodicals archive
It was a case of pass the parcel when Joe Berry tried to get compensation for lost luggage.
I bag Joe compo for lost case; The Judge I'LL GET IT SORTED
Children will be able to join in with traditional music-themed street games from 'pass the parcel' to 'musical statues'.
Museum hits the right note
Games of pass the parcel, musical chairs and musical statues were a huge hit along with a competition to decorate two people as Christmas trees.
Porridge party
Pass the Parcel, Under Over, or how about the Hokey Cokey?
Get in mood for sex with party game like Olivia C
Struggling to find a way to open the package, my lovely wife Sarah intervened, tutting: "What did they teach you at football school?" Since you ask, dear, it was more about tactics, set pieces and fitness than pass the parcel. I must have nodded off the day Sir Alex Ferguson walked in to the dressing room and said: "Right lads, today we're going to learn how to open a cardboard box."
My story of the week [...]; SATURDAY 01.09.2018 DAILY MIRROR 53 ROBBIE SAVAGE Mr Marmite.. Love him, hate him, you can't ignore him @RobbieSavage8IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Brussels playing pass the parcel TWO years on, why is Brussels still playing pass the parcel?
Brussels playing pass the parcel; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ
Members of the Downs and Special Friends support group were part-way through a game of pass the parcel at their Christmas party when Asda's Sharon Kingswood handed over a Christmas card containing a cheque for PS6,000.
Surprise donation from supermarket
The script plays pass the parcel with thinly sketched characters' emotions, orchestrating romantic entanglements to ensure a generous slosh of saccharine cheer over the end credits.
WATCH AT HOME three to see; Missed it at the cinema or on TV? We round up the best streaming and DVD releases of the week
EVERY day we see on television the "pass the parcel" politics as migrants are pushed from one country to another.
Will migrant influx result in unrest?
People dressed as Sylvanian characters delighted the crowd with live performances of singing and dancing throughout the day and there was also a host of fun activities for young fans to do, including face painting, a giant pass the parcel, musical chairs, colouring and other party games.
Special family celebrates 30 years of toys
It will feature pass the parcel, Zumba, a drumming workshop, a ceilidh band, Punch and Judy and henna painting.
Eid festival promises family fun
Meanwhile, we off-plan apartment buyers have to remain wallflowers watching this eight-year-old version of Pass the Parcel; that is until the Marina West developers are actually made to trip the light fantastic in The Last Waltz.
Dancing to the wrong tune
In the 1970s schools would still continue to have Christmas parties which consisted of games such as pass the parcel and statues, and traditional dances.
75% party games, 25% disco music and 100% hassle; LES WALTON is still mightily proud of his school Christmas Party Policy from 1975
And don't get me started on pass the parcel, with a prize required in every layer rather than one at the end.
? TWO out of three [...]