rearranging the deckchairs on the titanic

The phrase "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic" is an idiom that refers to futile or insignificant actions taken in the face of an impending catastrophe or failure. It originates from the historic event of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Despite the tragic circumstances, stories suggest that some passengers, unaware of the severity of the situation, were rearranging the deckchairs on the ship's deck. Thus, the phrase is used metaphorically to imply that someone is wasting time or effort on trivial matters that have no real impact on the larger problem at hand.