grab bag
noun
Forms grab bags grabbag grab-bag
- noun A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made; a bag as gift that comprises mystery prizes. “Winners can choose a gift from the grab bags on the table.”
- noun A bag from which a gift or prize may be withdrawn (grabbed) unseen.
- noun (figurative) Any random assortment, selection or possibility. “With that system, it's a grab bag which files we can find at any moment.”
- noun A moderately large bag of crisps or other snack, suitable for sharing.
- noun A bag containing essential items, which can be easily picked up and taken in an emergency.
Synonyms
mystery bag lucky dip mixed bag ragbag hodgepodge bouillabaisse bric-a-brac catch-all clamjamfrey cocktail rummage salad anthology gallery gatherum congeries crazyquilt disjecta membra farrago galimatias
Etymology
Literal sense
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “grab bag”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details