cookie jar

American  

noun

1. a jar or other container for storing cookies.

2. such a container used for storing money.

---

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

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

“They finally got busted with their hands in the cookie jar, and now they’re going to have to pay.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2022

I recognize it from that time she literally got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass