Rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic 

A joke Stephen Colbert made on the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Some people say changing the cabinet around is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. That's not true; this administration isn't sinking. In fact, this administration is soaring; if anything, it's like rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg.

Rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic by presleyg July 28, 2006

it's like shuffling deck chairs on the titanic 

Actually means: actions taken solely for the feeling (or the appearance) of doing something about an unavoidable situation; actions that not only accomplish nothing but *blatantly* accomplish nothing.

"Oh, look, now GM is trying to fire Wagoner. It's like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic."

it's like shuffling deck chairs on the titanic by Arkaaito December 9, 2008

it's like shuffling deck chairs on the titanic 

A phrase used to describe a situation that is:

a) almost near impossible
b) awkward/tricky
c) difficult

Stemming from the movie, Titanic, where shuffling deck chairs on the sinking ship would have been tricky.

Teacher: I'm trying to get my students to quieten down...it's like shuffling deck chairs on the titanic.

it's like shuffling deck chairs on the titanic by Briollette August 29, 2006