at random

Idioms  

1. Without order or fixed purpose, haphazardly, as in Jackson Pollock dropped paints on canvas seemingly at random. Originally this phrase meant “very speedily” and “heedlessly.” Shakespeare had the present usage in 1 Henry VI (5:3): “He talks at random; sure the man is mad.” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Wolf kills aren't distributed at random, Loretto said, occurring more often on flatter terrain or in open valleys where chases are more likely.

From Barron's

In these "RCTs," participants are assigned at random to different groups.

From Science Daily

An aide flashed the overhead lights on and off at random.

From Los Angeles Times

He pulled a book off a nonfiction shelf at random—it was something about tax codes.

From Literature

“I didn’t vote for masked men picking people up at random,” Guerra said before mentioning the migra encounter with the gardeners in January.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aimlessly
• frantically
• indiscriminately
• instinctively
• madly
• wildly