English Explanatory Dictionary

grab bag

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made; a bag as gift that comprises mystery prizes.
  2. A bag from which a gift or prize may be withdrawn (grabbed) unseen.
  3. Any random assortment, selection or possibility.
  4. A moderately large bag of crisps or other snack, suitable for sharing.
  5. A bag containing essential items, which can be easily picked up and taken in an emergency.

Pronunciation

en-au-grab bag.ogg

Word forms

grab bag grab bags grabbag grab-bag

Etymology

Literal sense

Synonyms

mystery bag lucky dip mixed bag ragbag hodgepodge bouillabaisse bric-a-brac catch-all clamjamfrey cocktail rummage anthology gallery congeries crazyquilt disjecta membra farrago galimatias gallimaufry grab bag horse and rabbit stew hotchpotch hotchpot job lot jumble macedoine medley melange mingle-mangle miscellanea miscellany mishmash mixture motley odds and ends oddments olio olla podrida omnium-gatherum pastiche patchwork quilt potpourri salmagundi slurry smorgasbord welter Whitman's sampler bug-out bag go bag

Related words

grab box let the cat out of the bag mixed bag blackball lucky dip pick 'n' mix pig in a poke
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