grab bag

American  

noun

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

2. any miscellaneous collection.

---

grab bag British  

noun

1. a collection of miscellaneous things

2. a bag or other container from which gifts are drawn at random

---

grab bag Idioms  

1. 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]

---

Etymology

Origin of grab bag

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Despite hurting growth, a broader U.K. tax increase could have advantages compared with a grab bag of assorted tax increases, economists say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

“Perfect World” is the grab bag of the lot.

From Salon • Jul. 8, 2025

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.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2025

Initially, crochet was just part of her grab bag of media, which included ceramics, carved wood and found objects melded in sculptures that Pepe began exhibiting in the late 1990s.

From New York Times • Jun. 22, 2023

The sheriff's job was not an easy one, and that county which, out of the grab bag of popular elections, pulled a good sheriff was lucky.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck