lucky dip

lucky dip

1. noun A game in which a person (typically a child) pays to search through a container in the hopes of picking out a prize that cannot be seen. Primarily heard in UK. I remember playing the lucky dip when I was young. In those days, cheap little toys were hidden in barrels of sawdust, and you had to pick them out with your eyes closed!
2. noun Any process or method in which the outcome is chosen or selected at random or without certainty. Primarily heard in UK. Buying a car online that's worth your money can be something of a lucky dip.
3. adjective Of or having a process of random selection. Often hyphenated. Primarily heard in UK. To make room selection fair for all incoming students, the university decided to implement a lucky-dip system for room assignments.
See also: dip, lucky
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • look alike
  • turd
  • birdturd
  • angle
  • angling
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • high
  • high, wide, and handsome
References in periodicals archive
The ticket was then scanned the following day at the same store at 09:40:31 hours, and it was correctly identified as having won a 'Match 2' prize - a free Lucky Dip ticket for either Wednesday's or Saturday's Lotto draw, he confirmed.
My lotto fortune turned out to be a PS2 lucky dip; NATHAN IS GUTTED AFTER HIS HOPES OF A BIG WIN WERE RAISED - THEN SADLY DASHED
There are 25 prizes, each comprising 100 pounds 2 EuroMillions Lucky Dip entries for the draw on May 31 which will be posted to winners by registered post before the draw takes place.
2500 LUCKY DIPS; POOL GUY: Hector Riva has been giving us a glimpse into his world of private jets, valets and endless days of sunshine. Catch up with Hector as he reveals more of the glamorous world of luxury
Mark's winning lucky dip numbers were 2, 23, 38, 41, 47 and 49.
Fisherman hooks a pounds 2.7m lottery win; Couple hit the jackpot with lucky dip
Nathan Moody, 25, from Billingham, thought he had won a big cash lottery prize, but it was a fault with the machine and he had won a lucky dip. He is pictured with son Jakobi
Dad, 25, thought he was lotto winner
"We will definitely be continuing to play Lotto - and will probably stick with Lucky Dips too."
Former Chelsea star wins [pounds sterling]5.5million on lottery Former Chelsea star wins [pounds sterling]5.5million on lottery; Terry Bradbury who played for Chelsea and used to earn [pounds sterling]25 a week as a professional footballer is celebrating becoming a millionaire
Total 100 prizes, each comprising 100 pounds 2 EuroMillions Lucky Dip entries which will be sent via registered post before the EuroMillions draw on Friday, Dec 23, 2011.
10,000 LUCKY DIP ENTRIES TO BE WON; FOR TOMORROW'S EUROMILLIONS MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE SPECIAL XMAS DRAW
"I could use it for a patio heater." Michael's win leaves just the gas barbecue up for grabs in today's Lucky Dip draw.
Michael's summer just got hotter
Mum-of-three Collette, from Northfield, entered the Lucky Dip competition in the hope of landing a prize for her son Kieran Williams, aged two-and-a-half.
First-time win for Collette
MY lucky dip includes something for everyone including 44 INCH CHEST (out tomorrow on DVD and Blu-ray courtesy of Momentum Pictures).
WIN Where the Wild Things Are; DVD RELEASES
The coach asked if I'd run a lucky dip stall and I calculated I could double the pounds 30 he'd given me for presents.
When it comes to boys' rugby, I would rather be lying low in bed; OPINION
The previous week, Steve won pounds 10 with a lucky dip.
A Wright piece of lotto luck!
Price, who entered 12 lists and collected with one that was chosen using the competition's 'lucky dip' option, did not realise he had won the big pot until contacted by the Post yesterday.
Horse Racing: Price is right as Neil lands pounds 10,000 prize
The crimpers who work in the Smile salon in Burnside, near Glasgow, scooped the midweek prize with a Lucky Dip ticket.
SMILE..YOU'VE JUST WON pounds 2.9M LOTTO
It's a really busy time at work with it being Christmas so I wanted to come in." He only discovered he had won on Sunday afternoon when he checked his lucky dip ticket, which he bought at Peggs newsagents in Hexham.
Town cheers on as lottery cash goes to the taxman
The 48-year-old civil servant from Corbridge, Northumberland, is believed to have bought his winning lucky dip from Pegg's newsagents, near Hexham's bus station.
Fingers crossed