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

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

Winning ballot entries will be selected at random and fans will be limited to buying four tickets each.

From BBC

Olivia tagged her own video with #subtleforeshadowing - a reference to an editing method where the moment of the "fail" is repeated at random throughout a clip.

From BBC

That’s what happens in any town that becomes a magnet for new employment, such as—to name a couple at random—Austin, Tex., and San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times