musical chairs

(noun) a child's game in which players march to music around a group of chairs that contains one chair less than the number of players; when the music abruptly stops the players scramble to sit and the player who does not find a chair is eliminated; then a chair is removed and the march resumes until only the winner is seated. Synonyms: musical chairs, going to Jerusalem.

(noun) a rearrangement that has no practical effect or significance. Synonyms: musical chairs. Examples: "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."