circus act

noun — 2 senses

circus act

noun
1

A performance typical of a circus, such as tightrope walking or fire eating.

2

Figuratively Anything absurd or convoluted; a rigmarole.

  • “What kind of circus act is this, Adams?” the Mayor shouted.2007, C. R. Truitt, Messengers from the West Mountain, page 238:
  • It's like those women who go to gay bars on a hen night because for them, we're a bloody circus act and it's a story to tell on their wedding day […]2011, Timothy Brown, Civil Partnership, page 172:

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