pick out of a hat

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Referring to the impromptu use of one's hat as a receptacle for drawing paper lots from.

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

pick out of a hat (third-person singular simple present picks out of a hat, present participle picking out of a hat, simple past and past participle picked out of a hat)

  1. To determine by chance, especially by drawing lots.
    Synonym: draw lots
  2. To substitute a guess for unavailable data.
    Synonym: pluck from thin air
    That number was just picked out of a hat.
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