soapbox en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
From soap + box. The figurative use of the word derives from the fact that soap products in the US used to be commonly transported to stores in large wooden boxes. It used to be common for individuals to give impromptu rally speeches to their neighbors by finding something to stand on like a soapbox.
Meanings
- (literally) A crate for packing soap.
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A small platform, being or resembling a literal soapbox, on which a person stands in order to give an impromptu speech or espouse their views.
The one image which the word “Socialist” brought to Jurgis was of poor little Tamoszius Kuszleika, who had called himself one, and would go out with a couple of other men and a soap-box, and shout himself hoarse on a street corner Saturday nights.
1905 April–October, Upton Sinclair, chapter XXV, in The Jungle, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 26 February 1906, →OCLC:The madman obtained a soapbox which he stood on at the corner of Broadway and Wall street, to shout out his prophecy of the end of the world.
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(figuratively, often, pejorative) A platform or outlet, such as a media platform, that a person uses to express their opinions.
Bernhard's last appearance on a late-night talk show was a handy soapbox to expound on his political message of patriotism, nationalism, and populism.
2013, Robert F. Ely, Candidate for President, →ISBN, page 25:The politician used Twitter as his soapbox.
Please stop using council meetings as your own personal soapbox.
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(derogatory, especially, in phrases such as 'on/off one's soapbox') A figurative means of talking repeatedly or at length about one's opinions on one's pet topic.
He's been on his soapbox all day about the new football coach.
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(broadly, derogatory, especially, in phrases such as 'on/off one's soapbox') A figurative means of talking repeatedly or at length about one's opinions on one's pet topic. ▸ The topic itself.
His soapbox is the lack of public toilets in the city.
- A soapbox car.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| soapboxes | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| soap box | alternative | lexicographic | |
| soap-box | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Translations (27)
fr tribune (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · zh 肥皂盒 (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · af seepkis (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · fr estrade (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · zh 宣講臺 /宣讲台 (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · ca tribuna (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · cy bocs sebon (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · cmn 個人觀點 /个人观点 (pet topic) · es estrado (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · ko 비누상자 (crate for packing soap) · cs improvizované pódium (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · pl ulubiony temat (pet topic) · es podio (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · ru конёк (pet topic) · fi äänitorvi (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · sco saipbox (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · fi mieliaihe (pet topic) · ru импровизи́рованная трибу́на (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · pl pudło na mydło (crate for packing soap) · fi saippualaatikko (crate for packing soap) · pl prowizoryczna mównica (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · fi puhujalava (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · es tribuna improvisada (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · cs provizorní stupínek (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · ru трибу́на (platform for presenting one's viewpoints) · fi lempiaihe (pet topic) · cs oblíbené téma (pet topic)