soapbox

[sohp-boks]

noun

1. Also soap box an improvised platform, as one on a street, from which a speaker delivers an informal speech, an appeal, or political harangue.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a speaker or speech from a soapbox.

soapbox

/ ˈsəʊpˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box or crate for packing soap

2. a crate used as a platform for speech-making

3. a child's homemade racing cart consisting of a wooden box set on a wooden frame with wheels and a steerable front axle

Word History and Origins

Origin of soapbox¹

First recorded in 1650–60; soap + box ¹

Example Sentences

“My soapbox may have been slippery, but people tend to love murder mysteries. So I wrapped my heart in one.”

From Los Angeles Times

But “The Paper” is a spinoff of “The Office” — in the loosest sense — so this isn’t a soapbox.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m not standing on a soapbox and shouting,” Graham says.

From Los Angeles Times

The BID has hosted a soapbox derby, an autumn festival, and a "dino day", where actors dress up as dinosaurs and walk around the town to entertain children.

From BBC

For some, the natural conclusion of this argument is that museums and other cultural centers should be spared, invited into the conversation rather than made the soapbox for it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledge 
• admit 
• affirm 
• avow 
• confess 
• feign 
• pretend 
• proclaim 
• stump