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

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

“It was like someone was stealing money from the cookie jar and they kept refilling it.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

"Sure enough, Genius caught Google with its hand in the cookie jar: The 'RED HANDED' message soon began to appear in the lyrics in Google's information boxes," Genius told the justices.

From Reuters • Jun. 26, 2023

So, Daisies and Brownies, listen up: there's a new flavor in the cookie jar for you to hawk — Raspberry Rally.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2022

Ma reached down and picked up the cookie jar.

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis