CLOWN CAR Definition & Meaning

clown car

[ kloun kahr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

a very small car used in a comedic circus routine, in which the normal passenger capacity is greatly exceeded by the numerous clowns who climb out from inside.
Informal. a group whose size seems absurdly excessive for the purported function of the group, and whose effectiveness is therefore questionable:
The planning committee has added yet another member to its clown car, almost guaranteeing further delays.
Informal. a small car:
He used to call my old Beetle a clown car, but when gas prices soared, I got the last laugh.

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First recorded in 1950–55; from a comedy routine used in the Cole Bros. Circus

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