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N players march around N-1 chairs; when the music stops the player who did not find a chair is eliminated; then a chair is removed and the march resumed until only the winner is seated

a rearrangement that has no practical effect or significance; "the company is looking for stability after years of musical chairs with directors"; "shareholders don't want the company playing musical chairs with their investment"

a child's game in which N players march to music around N-1 chairs; when the music abruptly stops the players scramble to sit and the player who does not find a chair is eliminated.