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rearrange

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rearrange (the) deckchairs on the Titanic

To partake in or undertake some task, activity, or course of action that will ultimately prove trivial or futile in its possible effect or outcome. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. For all his blustering about overhauling the education system, the prime minister might as well have been rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic for all the good these proposals will do. You're applying for arts council funding? Why don't you just rearrange deckchairs on the Titanic while you're at it?

See also: deckchairs, on, rearrange, titanic

be like rearranging (the) deckchairs on the Titanic

To be a task, activity, or course of action that will ultimately prove trivial or futile in its possible effect or outcome. You're giving the baby a bath before we eat spaghetti? That's like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.

See also: deckchairs, like, on, rearrange, titanic

be like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic

  (British & Australian humorous)

if an activity is like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, it it will have no effect

Usage notes: The Titanic was a large ship that sank suddenly in 1912 with most of its passengers.

With unemployment at record levels, plans for better advertising of job vacancies are a bit like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.

See also: deckchairs, like, on, rearrange, titanic