GRAB BAG Definition & Meaning

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grab bag

noun

a container or receptacle from which a person at a party or the like draws a gift without knowing what it is.
any miscellaneous collection.

grab bag

noun

a collection of miscellaneous things
a bag or other container from which gifts are drawn at random

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of grab bag¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

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Idioms and Phrases

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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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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.

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

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After morning break, Mrs Curtis is putting together a grab bag for an eight-year-old pupil whose mum rang the school earlier to let them know they've had to leave their home in a hurry.

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Even Whole Foods has joined the movement, offering its own grab bags of surplus food via Too Good to Go.

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It’s mostly a grab bag of targeted subsidies: for parents of small children, for first-time homebuyers, for small businesses, for manufacturing and technology.

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grab grab bar

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