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.
Origin
1850-55, Americanism
British Dictionary definitions for grab-bag
grab bag
noun
1.
a collection of miscellaneous things
2.
(US & Canadian, Austral) a bag or other container from which gifts are drawn at random
Word Origin and History for grab-bag
n.
"miscellaneous mixture," 1854, originally a carnival game; from grab + bag (n.).
Slang definitions & phrases for grab-bag
grab-bag
noun
A miscellaneous mixture; random collection: the grab-bag of memories in my muddled head
[1855+; dated sense refers to a carnival game in which one may reach inside a bag of small prizes after paying a fee]
Idioms and Phrases with grab-bag
grab bag
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 ]