verb
Meaning 1
To determine by chance, especially by drawing lots.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: draw lots
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
pick out of a hat
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
verb
Meaning 2
To substitute a guess for unavailable data.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- That number was just picked out of a hat.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pluck from thin air
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Referring to the impromptu use of one's hat as a receptacle for drawing paper lots from.