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

On the show, the newly matched couple picked their first date activity at random.

From BBC

During a recent class, six of the 11 students were chosen at random to perform short sets.

From Los Angeles Times

The 32 seeds were joined by players ranked 33-64, and drawn at random into the left side of the draw against the remaining 64 qualifiers.

From BBC

You might hear "ghost" harmonies, where backing vocals appear and disappear at random.

From BBC

While the shooter targeted the school, housed in the Covenant Presbyterian Church and serving about 200 pupils from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, the individuals were slain at random, police said.

From Reuters

Related Words

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