drawing lots

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Explanation of "Drawing Lots"

Definition:
"Drawing lots" is a way of making a decision or choosing someone or something randomly. It involves using items (like straws, pebbles, or pieces of paper) that are selected or chosen without knowing what they are. This method is often used when you want to be fair and give everyone an equal chance.

Advanced Usage:

• In more formal settings, "drawing lots" can refer to methods used in legal or official contexts to select jurors or participants for a study.
• The term can also be used metaphorically to discuss making decisions in uncertain situations.

Word Variants:

• Draw lots (verb phrase): To engage in the act of drawing lots.
  • Example: "They will draw lots to see who gets the prize."

Different Meaning:

• "Lot" can also mean a piece of land or a group of things. However, in "drawing lots," it specifically refers to the items used to make a selection.

Synonyms:

• Random selection
• Tossing a coin
• Choosing at random

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Leave it to chance": This idiom means to let luck decide the outcome, similar to drawing lots.
• "Take a chance": This phrase means to do something risky or uncertain, which can relate to the unpredictability of drawing lots.

Summary:

"Drawing lots" is a fair and random method to make decisions or select individuals. It’s commonly used in informal contexts but can also apply to more serious situations.

Academic

Noun

1. making a chance decision by using lots (straws or pebbles etc.) that are thrown or drawn

Synonyms

• casting lots
• sortition