cookie jar

American  

noun

1. a jar or other container for storing cookies.

2. such a container used for storing money.

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idioms

1. have one's hand in the cookie jar, to take or attempt to take advantage of one's position by demanding or accepting favors or bribes.

   They suspected the mayor's assistant had his hand in the cookie jar.

Etymology

Origin of cookie jar

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Example Sentences

“If you’re a kid and no one was looking at the cookie jar and the lid was off, would you take another one?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Ran economic blockades and encouraged American companies to treat the region’s riches, and its workers, like a cookie jar.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026

The Rockville case on Sunday caused a stir on social media and brought to mind the childhood song: Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

From Washington Post • Feb. 15, 2023

For markets, this is like stealing the last cookie in the cookie jar, getting caught red handed, and, instead of a good spanking, you get another cookie, with chocolate on.

From Reuters • Feb. 2, 2023

When I came out front, Ma tipped the cookie jar at me again and I dug my hand right in.

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis