English Explanatory Dictionary

rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current problem.

Pronunciation

En-au-rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.ogg

Word forms

rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic rearranges the deck chairs on the Titanic rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic

Etymology

The Titanic was an ocean liner that sank on the morning of April 15, 1912 after striking an iceberg. The phrase rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic implies trying to move the chairs on the deck around while the ship is sinking, a pointless activity.

Synonyms

move the deckchairs on the Titanic shift the deckchairs on the Titanic shuffle the chairs on the deck of the Titanic shuffle the deckchairs on the Titanic

Related words

count angels on pinheads fiddle while Rome burns
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