at random

Idioms and Phrases

Without order or fixed purpose, haphazardly, as in Jackson Pollock dropped paints on canvas seemingly at random . Originally this phrase meant “very speedily” and “heedlessly.” Shakespeare had the present usage in 1 Henry VI (5:3): “He talks at random; sure the man is mad.” [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

He said the houses that ended up falling victim to the flames were virtually chosen at random — at the mercy of wherever embers happened to land, some jumping up to a mile ahead of the main fire.

From Los Angeles Times

In Camarillo Heights, the remains of burned houses dotted the landscape, seemingly engulfed at random.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition, California requires a post-election audit, a manual tally of at least 1% of precincts, chosen at random.

From Los Angeles Times

But in a hearing on Monday, Musk’s lawyer Chris Gober tried to defend the giveaway’s legality, revealing that recipients are not chosen at random.

From Salon

The winners of Elon Musk’s lottery are not chosen at random, but rather selected based on whether they’d be a good spokesperson for Musk’s super PAC, the billionaire’s lawyer claimed in a court hearing on Monday.

From Salon