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View synonyms for grab bag

grab bag

noun

  1. a container or receptacle from which a person at a party or the like draws a gift without knowing what it is.
  2. any miscellaneous collection.


grab bag

noun

  1. a collection of miscellaneous things
  2. a bag or other container from which gifts are drawn at random
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of grab bag1

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55
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Idioms and Phrases

A miscellaneous collection, as in The meeting amounted to a grab bag of petty complaints . This term alludes to a container offered at a party or fair, where one dips in for a party favor or prize without knowing what one will get. [Mid-1800s]
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Example Sentences

Figures from that grab-bag list also made their way into the requirements for United States history and government.

The usual grab bag of pundits invested in the political status quo was quick to dismiss the question.

As for the rest of the meeting last week, it was a grab-bag of potential culture-war battles, some big and some small.

“Larry King Presides Over Grab-Bag Third-Party Presidential Debate,” at The Daily Beast.

A grab-bag of fascinations, for open the pages where one will, each chapter has its racy anecdote and astonishing story.

"I have been constructing a grab-bag, and you shall have the first grab;" and Norah brought out a bag made of rainbow ribbons.

"If you need anything more in the way of cheer, I will bring forth the grab-bag," said Norah, as she handed Alex some tea.

"I don't know what I'll draw out of this grab bag next," and he plunged his arm in again.

Then you give the line a quick jerk, and pull in, hand over hand, and see what you have drawn from the grab-bag.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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