grab bag

See also: grabbag and grab-bag

English

Alternative forms

• grabbag
• grab-bag

Etymology

grab +‎ bag

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

Noun

grab bag (plural grab bags)

1. A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made.

   Winners can choose a gift from the grab bags on the table.

2. (idiomatic) Any random assortment, selection or possibility.

   With that system, it's a grab bag which files we can find at any moment.

   • 2015, Mark Ribowsky, Whiskey Bottles and Brand-New Cars:

     There were now a grab bag of southern country-rock units with a new wrinkle—Black Oak Arkansas, for one, combined psychedelia, fifties rock, Hindu spiritualism, and gospel into “psycho-boogie,” or “raunch 'n' roll.”

3. A moderately large bag of crisps or other snack, intended for sharing.
4. A bag containing essential items, which can be easily picked up and taken in an emergency

See also

• mixed bag
• lucky dip