cast lots
Decide by chance
Cast lots means to determine an outcome by a random method—drawing straws, throwing dice, or similar procedures.
The practice is ancient, appearing throughout the Bible and classical literature as a way to make decisions or divine the will of gods: They cast lots to see who would go first.
The phrase suggests leaving something to chance or fate.
- lotteryRandomized prize distribution
- destinyPredetermined course of events
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- diceMarked cubes for chance
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
blind luck · luck of the draw · odds · oracle · coin toss · flip a coin · straws · short straw · random draw · Urim and Thummim · Old Testament · providence · fairness · scapegoat · impartiality · augury · Matthias · divine will
decision-making method
cast lotsdeliberate
Consciously chosen, not accidental
weigh options · judge · calculate · decide · evaluate