pick arbitrarily

[/pɪk ˈɑrbɪtrerɪli/]
verb phrase
escolher arbitrariamente
1. to select or choose something without any specific reason, method, or logical basis; to make a choice randomly or without careful consideration
He decided to pick arbitrarily from the list of available options without analyzing them.
Ele decidiu escolher arbitrariamente da lista de opções disponíveis sem analisá-las.
2. to select based on personal whim or impulse rather than objective criteria
The teacher picked arbitrarily from the students to answer the question.
A professora escolheu arbitrariamente entre os alunos para responder à pergunta.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, this phrase is used in academic, professional, and casual settings to describe decision-making without clear criteria. In Brazil, the informal expression 'na cara e coragem' (literally 'on the face and courage') is often used colloquially instead of the formal 'arbitrariamente' among friends and informal conversations.
NYC Slang
pick at random; pick whatever
Synonyms / Sinônimos
choose randomlyselect haphazardlypick at randomchoose without reasonselect capriciously
Antonyms / Antônimos
choose carefullyselect methodicallypick deliberatelychoose systematicallyselect purposefully

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
escolher arbitrariamente
Standard formal usage
General Brazilian
escolher na cara e coragem
Informal colloquial expression meaning to pick without thinking
São Paulo
escolher aleatoriamente
More technical/formal variant
Portugal
escolher arbitrariamente
Same as Brazilian Portuguese, formal usage

Related Words

arbitraryrandom selectionwhimsical choicecapricioushaphazard

Related Idioms & Phrases

pick out of a hat
throw a dart at it
pick and choose
shot in the dark
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