cast lots

cast lots

To decide something by picking an item, often a slip of paper, at random. Let's cast lots to decide who will go first—it's the only fair way to do it.
See also: cast, lot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cast/draw ˈlots (for something/to do something)

decide who is going to do something by using a method in which each person takes a piece of paper or a stick and the person who has the paper with a special mark on or the shortest stick is chosen: They drew lots to see who should speak to the parents.
See also: cast, draw, lot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • cast/draw lots
  • draw lots
  • draw for
  • draw for (something)
  • decide for
  • decide for (someone or something)
  • give (something) a pass
  • decide in favor of
  • decide in favor of (someone or something)
  • draw straws
References in periodicals archive
For example, in Psalm 22 the psalmist speaks of one who cries out to God, saying, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And later, "I can count all my bones, they stare and gloat over me; they divide my clothes among themselves and for my clothing they cast lots." Of course, these sayings are also found echoed by Jesus in the passion narratives in the New Testament (Matthew 27:35,46; Mark 15:34).
Blessing and restoration: Jesus and Israel
The verse from Obadiah 1: 11, "On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them," could be the motto for the contributions in this volume.
Holocaust
SCHOOL CAST Lots of adventure is in store for you this school year, Pisces gal.
GL star signs
Critics have, however, cast lots of doubt in the new Kiir administration, with many arguing that the semi-autonomous regime will still bring back its loyal cadres and much- anticipated changes could be a myth, than reality.
Security, referendum top President Kiir's priority list
Another composition Keefer misrepresented, "The Plea Bargain," relies on vertical lines of analogous background colors for the "carnival fun." A gaggle of attorneys jeer and mock as the lead prosecutor, standing with a handful of white and yellow balls, prepares to "cast lots." This composition attempts to expose the "joke" of the courts, coercing me with false promises, into throwing all rights away and pleading guilty.
VOX POP
THE Bible records that as Jesus hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers did not divide his clothes but, as it was woven in one piece, cast lots to determine who should keep it.
Shrouded in mystery; Fact or fake? The holy relics of Christ's suffering on cross
How that must have reminded him of Psalm 22: "They divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothes." The soldiers were "only obeying orders and doing what they always did".
THOUGHT for the DAY
Those 120 or so Christians chose two of their number and cast lots to determine that Matthias would join the Twelve.
All in favor? There's more democracy in the church than you might think
She was keen to give the cast lots of freedom and the fact they have no pre-show nerves is testament to her approach.
culture: Young make dramatic start to stage careers; Talented young people are making dramatic connections over an energetic four days. Barbara Hodgson hears more
Over a millennium later, the Roman soldiers at Christ's crucifixion cast lots for his garment, considering it a prize because "it was of one piece, woven from the top throughout." Woven, doubtless, by His mother.
The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success