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Meaning & use

drawing of lots

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UK/ˌdrɔːɪŋ əv ˈlɒts/
US/ˌdrɔːɪŋ əv ˈlɑːts/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    A way of choosing someone or deciding something by chance, often by pulling marked sticks, papers, or names from a container.

    Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: the drawing of lots decides the winner.

    Patterns

    • the drawing of lots
    • decide something by the drawing of lots
    • choose someone by the drawing of lots

    The two teams were placed in the same group by the drawing of lots.

    In ancient Athens, many public offices were filled by the drawing of lots rather than by election.

    After a tie, the winner was settled by the drawing of lots.

  2. phrasesingular

    The actual event or occasion when names or marked objects are pulled out to settle a question.

    Grammar: Often appears with 'a' or 'the' when referring to one particular event: a drawing of lots was held.

    Patterns

    • hold a drawing of lots
    • a drawing of lots was held
    • take part in a drawing of lots

    A drawing of lots was held in the town hall to assign the new apartments.

    The organizers held a drawing of lots to decide who would speak first.

    She watched the drawing of lots with growing nervousness.

Common combinations

by the drawing of lots
The order of play was decided by the drawing of lots.
hold a drawing of lots
They held a drawing of lots to give away the tickets.
decide something by the drawing of lots
When the votes were equal, the committee decided the matter by the drawing of lots.
a drawing of lots was held
A drawing of lots was held after the deadline passed.
the drawing of lots for something
The drawing of lots for the last two places took place on Friday.

Synonyms and how they differ

lottery
A lottery is usually a game or competition in which people buy tickets for a prize, while a drawing of lots is a simple method of making a fair choice.
raffle
A raffle is a way of raising money by selling numbered tickets, so it often has a charitable or commercial purpose that a drawing of lots does not.
ballot
A ballot involves voting, so it reflects people's choices rather than pure chance.

Opposites

electionappointment

Word family

draw lots phrase
to use this method to decide something
lot noun
one of the objects, such as sticks or papers, used in this method

Commonly confused: drawing of lots or drawing lots? drawing of lots or lot?

drawing of lots vs drawing lots

Without 'of', 'drawing lots' is the activity or the action, as in 'They are drawing lots'; 'drawing of lots' is the name of the method or the event.

drawing of lots vs lot

A 'lot' can also mean a piece of land or a large amount, so context is needed to see which meaning is intended.

Practice

The winner of the competition was chosen ______.

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