pick out of a hat

== English == === Alternative forms === pick from a hat === Etymology === Referring to the impromptu use of one's hat as a receptacle for drawing paper lots from. === Pronunciation === === Verb === pick out of a hat (third-person singular simple present picks out of a hat, present participle picking out of a hat, simple past and past participle picked out of a hat) To determine by chance, especially by drawing lots. Synonym: draw lots To substitute a guess for unavailable data. Synonym: pluck from thin air