grab bag

American  

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.

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grab bag British  

noun

1. a collection of miscellaneous things

2. a bag or other container from which gifts are drawn at random

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grab bag Idioms  

1. 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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Etymology

Origin of grab bag

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Despite hurting growth, a broader U.K. tax increase could have advantages compared with a grab bag of assorted tax increases, economists say.

From The Wall Street Journal

Food aid trucks arriving in the strip on Sunday were swarmed as desperate Palestinians tried to grab bags of flour from an aid truck near a food distribution point in Zikim, northern Gaza.

From BBC

“Perfect World” is the grab bag of the lot.

From Salon

I’m intrigued by Dorn’s suggestion of “baddie florals,” but I want to make sure I don’t end up with a grab bag of grandma scents.

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts and experts have offered a grab bag other explanations about why Trump made such an aggressive move on trade last week.

From BBC